16002 Molecules and uses therefor

ABSTRACT

The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated 16002 nucleic acid molecules. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing 16002 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a 16002 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated 16002 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-16002 antibodies. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/950,370, filed Sep. 10, 2001 now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/231,084, filed Sep. 8, 2000. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/294,039, filed Nov. 13, 2002 now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/338,587, filed Nov. 13, 2001. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/266,035, filed Oct. 7, 2002 now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/328,198, filed Oct. 9, 2001. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/717,926, filed Nov. 21, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,657, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/214,707, filed Jun. 27, 2000. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/268,036, filed Oct. 9, 2002 now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/327,820, filed Oct. 9, 2001. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/922,138, filed Aug. 03, 2001 now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/229,299, filed Sep. 1, 2000. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/945,327, filed Aug. 31, 2001 now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/229,425, filed Aug. 31, 2000. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/163,316, filed Jun. 5, 2002 now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/297,863, filed Jun. 13, 2001. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/103,377, filed Mar. 21, 2002 now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/278,347, filed Mar. 23, 2001. The entire contents of each of the above-referenced patent applications are incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The enormous variety of biochemical reactions that comprise life are nearly all mediated by a series of biological catalysts known as enzymes. Enzymes are proteins which possess specific catalytic activities that enable them to catalyze a series of reactions, hence enabling metabolic pathways to degrade and to reconstruct products needed to maintain organisms. By the binding of substrates through geometrically and physically complementary reactions, enzymes are stereospecific in binding substrates as well as in catalyzing reactions. The stringency for this stereospecificity varies as some enzymes are more specific to the identity of their substrates, while others are capable of binding multiple substrates and can catalyze numerous types of reactions.

Examples of enzymes include, for example, phospholipases, serine carboxypeptidases, trypsin-like serine proteases, aldehyde dehydrogenases, ubiquitin-protein ligases, protein kinases, hydrolases and matrix metalloproteinases. Such enzymes have the ability to, for example: to reversibly phosphorylate proteins in order to regulate protein activity in eukaryotic cells; to catalyze the hydrolysis of an acyl or phosphoacyl bond of a phospholipids; to modulate removal of COOH-terminal residues, i.e., having carboxypeptidase activity; to modulate the transfer of an acyl group from a donor to an acceptor molecule, i.e., having acyltransferase activity; to degrade proteins; to phosphorylate carbohydrates; to oxidate an aldehyde; to modulate ubiquitination of a substrate, e.g., a protein targeted for degradation; to modulate substrate specificity for ubiquitination; to reversibly phosphorylate proteins in order to regulate protein activity in eukaryotic cells; to interact with cytotoxins and metabolites (e.g., lactoylglutathione, a glutathione-conjugated metabolite, a hydroxycarboxylic acid, and the like); to catalyze the metobolism of a cytotoxin or metabolite; to hydrolyze a thioester containing compound (e.g., lactoylglutathione, and the like); to catalyze the formation of a thioester conjugation on a substrate (e.g., lactate or a hydroxycarboxylic acid); to cleave or modulate the degredation of proteins or peptides of the extracellular matrix; to catalyze or modulate catalysis of cleavage of covalent bonds within or between amino acid residues (e.g., in extracellular matrix, cell-surface, and extracellular proteins); as well as many others. Accordingly, there exists a need to identify additional human enzymes, for example, for use as disease markers and as targets for identifying various therapeutic modulators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery of novel nucleic acid molecules and proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, referred to herein as “27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577”. The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid and protein molecules of the present invention are useful as modulating agents in regulating a variety of cellular processes, e.g., including, but not limited to cell proliferation, differentiation, growth and division. In particular, these nucleic acid molecules will be advantageous in the regulation of any cellular function, uncontrolled proliferation and differentiation, such as in cases of cancer. Accordingly, in one aspect, this invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins or biologically active portions thereof, as well as nucleic acid fragments-suitable as primers or hybridization probes for the detection of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-encoding nucleic acids.

The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA encoding 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577, and the amino acid sequence of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides are depicted in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Sequences of the invention ATCC Gene accession Name cDNA Protein Coding Region number 27877 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID PTA-3217 NO:1 and 4 NO:2 and 5 NO:3 and 6 18080 SEQ ID NO:11 SEQ ID NO:12 SEQ ID NO:13 N/A 14081 SEQ ID NO:20 SEQ ID NO:21 SEQ ID NO:22 N/A 32140 SEQ ID NO:25 SEQ ID NO:26 SEQ ID NO:27 PTA-3424 50352 SEQ ID NO:29 SEQ ID NO:30 SEQ ID NO:31 N/A 16658 SEQ ID NO:35 SEQ ID NO:36 SEQ ID NO:37 N/A 14223 SEQ ID NO:38 SEQ ID NO:39 SEQ ID NO:40 N/A 16002 SEQ ID NO:41 SEQ ID NO:42 SEQ ID NO:43 N/A 50566 SEQ ID NO:73 SEQ ID NO:74 SEQ ID NO:75 N/A 65552 SEQ ID NO:76 SEQ ID NO:77 SEQ ID NO:78 N/A 65577 SEQ ID NO:86 SEQ ID NO:87 SEQ ID NO:88 N/A

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention features a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or polypeptide, e.g., a biologically active portion of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. In a preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule encodes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87. In other embodiments, the invention provides isolated 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid molecules having the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88 or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC Accession Number PTA-3217 or PTA-3424. In still other embodiments, the invention provides nucleic acid molecules that are substantially identical (e.g., naturally occurring allelic variants) to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88 or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC Accession Number PTA-3217 or PTA-3424. In other embodiments, the invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes under a stringent hybridization condition as described herein to a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88 or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC Accession Number PTA-3217 or PTA-3424, wherein the nucleic acid encodes a full length 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or an active fragment thereof.

In a related aspect, the invention further provides nucleic acid constructs which include a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid molecule described herein. In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid molecules of the invention are operatively linked to native or heterologous regulatory sequences. Also included are vectors and host cells containing the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid molecules of the invention e.g., vectors and host cells suitable for producing polypeptides.

In another related aspect, the invention provides nucleic acid fragments suitable as primers or hybridization probes for the detection of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-encoding nucleic acids.

In still another related aspect, isolated nucleic acid molecules that are antisense to a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 encoding nucleic acid molecule are provided.

In another aspect, the invention features 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides, and biologically active or antigenic fragments thereof that are useful, e.g., as reagents or targets in assays applicable to treatment and diagnosis of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disorders. In another embodiment, the invention provides 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides having a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity.

In other embodiments, the invention provides 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides, e.g., a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 or the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC Accession Number PTA-3217 or PTA-3424; an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 or the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC Accession Number PTA-3217 or PTA-3424; or an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes under a stringent hybridization condition as described herein to a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88 or the nucleotide sequence of the insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC Accession Number PTA-3217 or PTA-3424, wherein the nucleic acid encodes a full length 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or an active fragment thereof.

In a related aspect, the invention further provides nucleic acid constructs which include a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid molecule described herein.

In a related aspect, the invention provides 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides or fragments operatively linked to non-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides to form fusion proteins.

In another aspect, the invention features antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that react with, or more preferably specifically or selectively bind 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods of screening for compounds that modulate the expression or activity of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides or nucleic acids.

In still another aspect, the invention provides a process for modulating 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide or nucleic acid expression or activity, e.g., using the compounds identified in the screens described herein. In certain embodiments, the methods involve treatment of conditions related to aberrant activity or expression of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides or nucleic acids, such as conditions or disorders involving aberrant or deficient 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression. Examples of such disorders include, but are not limited to cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders, brain disorders, blood vessel disorders, platelet disorders, breast disorders, colon disorders, kidney disorders, lung disorders, ovarian disorders, prostate disorders, hematopoeitic disorders, pancreatic disorders, skeletal muscle disorders, testicular disorders, skin disorders, hormonal disorders, disorders associated with bone metabolism, immune e.g., inflammatory, disorders, cardiovascular disorders, endothelial cell disorders, liver disorders, viral diseases, pain, metabolic disorders, anemias, angiogenesis, neoplastic disorders, endocrine disorders, neurological disorders and heart disorders.

The invention also provides assays for determining the activity of or the presence or absence of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides or nucleic acid molecules in a biological sample, including for disease diagnosis.

In a further aspect, the invention provides assays for determining the presence or absence of a genetic alteration in a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule, including for disease diagnosis.

In another aspect, the invention features a two dimensional array having a plurality of addresses, each address of the plurality being positionally distinguishable from each other address of the plurality, and each address of the plurality having a unique capture probe, e.g., a nucleic acid or peptide sequence. At least one address of the plurality has a capture probe that recognizes a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecule. In one embodiment, the capture probe is a nucleic acid, e.g., a probe complementary to a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid sequence. In another embodiment, the capture probe is a polypeptide, e.g., an antibody specific for 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides. Also featured is a method of analyzing a sample by contacting the sample to the aforementioned array and detecting binding of the sample to the array.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Human 27877

The invention relates to a novel phospholipase protein that can exist in at least two forms, herein designated the ‘short’ and ‘long’ forms. The phospholipase (i.e., in either form) is referred to herein as “27877,” and can exhibit phospholipase A1 activity. Phosphatidic acids are preferred substrates for the catalytic activity of 27877, although non-phosphatidic acid phospholipids can also act as substrates for the enzyme.

The human short form of 27877 sequence (SEQ ID NO:1), which is approximately 2981 nucleotides long including untranslated regions, contains a predicted methionine-initiated coding sequence of about 2622 nucleotides (nucleotides 202–2823 of SEQ ID NO:1; nucleotides 1–2622 of SEQ ID NO:3), not including the terminal codon. The coding sequence encodes a 874 amino acid protein (SEQ ID NO:2).

The long form human 27877 cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:4), which is approximately 3065 nucleotide residues long including non-translated regions, contains a predicted methionine-initiated coding sequence of about 2706 nucleotide residues, excluding termination codon (i.e., nucleotide residues 202–2907 of SEQ ID NO:4; nucleotides 1–2706 SEQ ID NO:6). The coding sequence encodes a 902 amino acid protein (SEQ ID NO:5).

Human 27877 proteins contain a predicted transmembrane domain at about amino acid residues 620–636 of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 5. 27877 proteins can thus exist in a membrane bound form comprising two extra-membrane domains (the first corresponding to about amino acid residues 1–619 of each of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 5, and the second corresponding to about amino acid residues 637 through the carboxyl terminus of each of these sequences) separated by a transmembrane domain. In one embodiment, a 27877 protein can exist in a form in which the region corresponding to about amino acid residues 1–619 of each of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 5 is oriented on the non-lumenal side of a membrane (e.g., a cell membrane or a nuclear or other organellar membrane) and the region corresponding to about amino acid residues 637 through the carboxyl terminus of each of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 5 is oriented on the lumenal side of the membrane. In another embodiment, the regions have the opposite orientations. In still another embodiment, the 27877 protein exists in a soluble form (i.e., not inserted in a membrane).

The human 27877 protein has predicted N-glycosylation sites (Pfam accession number PS00001) at about amino acid residues 486–489 and 690–693 of each of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 5; a predicted cAMP-/cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation site (Pfam accession number PS00004) at about amino acid residues 145–148 of each of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 5; predicted protein kinase C phosphorylation sites (Pfam accession number PS00005) at about amino acid residues 8–10, 99–101, 180–182, 189–191, 343–345, 367–369, 375–377, 588–590, 733–735, and 778–780 of each of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 5; predicted casein kinase II phosphorylation sites (Pfam accession number PS00006) located at about amino acid residues 92–95, 104–107, 141–144, 226–229, 244–247, 271–274, 271–274, 355–358, 399–402, 450–453, 488–491, 575–578, 713–716, 778–781, 782–785, 813–816, and 846–849 of SEQ ID NO:2 (about amino acid residues 92–95, 104–107, 141–144, 226–229, 244–247, 271–274, 271–274, 355–358, 399–402, 450–453, 488–491, 575–578, 713–716, 778–781, 782–785, and 874–877 of SEQ ID NO:5); a predicted tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site (Pfam accession number PS00007) at about amino acid residues 579–586 of each of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 5; and predicted N-myristoylation sites (Pfam accession number PS00008) at about amino acid residues 18–23, 35–40, 109–114, 133–138, 139–144, 151–156, 530–535, 541–546, 601–606, 624–629, 635–640, 761–766, and 828–833 of SEQ ID NO:2 (about amino acid residues 18–23, 35–40, 109–114, 133–138, 139–144, 151–156, 530–535, 541–546, 601–606, 624–629, 635–640, 761–766, and 856–861 of SEQ ID NO:5).

For general information regarding PFAM identifiers, PS prefix and PF prefix domain identification numbers, refer to Sonnhammer et al. (1997, Protein 28:405–420).

A plasmid containing the nucleotide sequence encoding the short form of human 27877 was deposited with American Type Culture Collection (ATCC®), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, on Mar. 23, 2001 and assigned accession number PTA-3217. A plasmid containing the nucleotide sequence encoding the short form of human 27877 was deposited with ATCC® on Mar. 23, 2001 and assigned accession number PTA-3217. These deposits will be maintained under the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. These deposits were made merely as a convenience for those of skill in the art and are not an admission that a deposit is required pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 112.

Phospholipids (sometimes designated ‘phosphatides’) are mixed esters of fatty acids and phosphoric acid with an alcohol such as glycerol or sphingosine. Glycerol-based phospholipids have a phosphoryl moiety esterified with a hydroxyl moiety at one end of the glycerol moiety and at least one fatty acyl moiety esterified with the remaining glyceroyl hydroxyl moieties. The phosphoryl moiety can be esterified with an additional moiety (e.g., choline, ethanolamine, serine, inositol or an inositol phosphate), some of which (e.g., choline or inositol-4-phosphate) can have a charged moiety. Phospholipids are the primary lipid component of most animal cellular membranes. Most membrane phospholipids comprise two fatty acyl moieties, often including both a saturated fatty acyl moiety and an unsaturated fatty acyl moiety.

Phospholipases are a ubiquitous class of enzymes that catalyze hydrolysis of phospholipids. Multiple classes of phospholipases are known, and phospholipases can be classified based on the phospholipid bond of which the enzyme catalyzes hydrolysis. For example, phospholipase A1 enzymes cleave the acyl moiety esterified at the glyceroyl hydroxyl moiety most distal from the phosphoryl moiety in a phospholipid. One known phospholipase A1 enzyme is designated phosphatidic acid-preferring phospholipase A1 and was isolated from bovine testis (Higgs et al., 1998, J. Biol. Chem. 273:5468–5477). Phospholipase A2 enzymes more specifically cleave the acyl moiety at the glyceroyl hydroxyl moiety adjacent the phosphoryl moiety of a phospholipid. Phospholipase B enzymes can cleave acyl moieties from either of these positions. Phospholipase C enzymes cleave the phosphoryl moiety from the glycerol backbone of a glycerophosphatide, and phospholipase D enzymes can cleave phosphatidic acid from a moiety bound with the phosphoryl moiety.

Because hydrolyzed phospholipids and products generated therefrom (e.g., arachidonic acid and lipoxygenase- and cyclooxygenase-catalyzed reaction products such as prostaglandins) can act as second messengers in cellular signaling systems, expression of many phospholipases is highly regulated in cells. Many and complex array of regulatory mechanisms have been described for regulating phospholipase expression, some involving cytoplasmic proteins, notably G-proteins, as well as different effector lipids (e.g., phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate) or Ca²⁺. Phospholipase expression can be modulated by numerous signal transduction pathways, and phospholipases can also participate in numerous signal transduction pathways.

Numerous phospholipases have been described. However, in view of the widespread and critical nature of phospholipase activities in normal and pathological physiological processes, a need exists for identification of further members of this protein family. The present invention satisfies this need by providing a novel human phospholipase.

The 27877 protein contains a significant number of structural characteristics in common with members of the phospholipase family. One characteristic of the lipase family of enzymes is the presence of five amino acids that have the consensus sequence Xaa₁-Xaa₂-Ser-Xaa₃-Gly (SEQ ID NO:10), wherein Xaa₁ is Gly or Ser and each of Xaa₂ and Xaa₃ can be any amino acid residue. This sequence is highly conserved among lipases and contains the active serine nucleophile present in most lipases. This sequence is present in the 27877 amino acid sequence as Ser-His-Ser-Leu-Gly (SEQ ID NO:9), with the first amino acid of this consensus sequence present in the 27877 sequence being a serine rather than a glycine. The predicted active serine nucleophile is located at amino acid position 539 of both the short form and the long form of the human 27877 protein. Higgs et al. describe a bovine phosphatidic acid-preferring phospholipase A1 (PA-PLA1) which comprises an identical version of the consensus sequence (i.e., Ser-His-Ser-Leu-Gly, SEQ ID NO:9) wherein the active serine nucleophile is located at amino acid position 540 (1998, J. Biol. Chem. 273:5468–5477). These characteristics indicate that human 27877 protein is an active phospholipase molecule.

In another embodiment, a 27877 protein includes at least one transmembrane domain. As used herein, the term “transmembrane domain” includes an amino acid sequence of about 5 amino acid residues in length that spans the plasma membrane. More preferably, a transmembrane domain includes about at least 10, 15, or 17 amino acid residues and spans a membrane. Transmembrane domains are rich in hydrophobic residues, and typically have an alpha-helical structure. In a preferred embodiment, at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 95% or more of the amino acids of a transmembrane domain are hydrophobic, e.g., leucines, isoleucines, tyrosines, or tryptophans. Transmembrane domains are described in, for example, Zagotta W. N. et al. (1996, Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 19: 235–263), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Amino acid residues 1 to about 620–636 of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 5 comprise a transmembrane domain in a 27877 protein.

The 27877 molecules of the present invention can further include one or more of the N-glycosylation, cAMP-/cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation, protein kinase C phosphorylation, casein kinase II phosphorylation, tyrosine kinase, and N-myristoylation sites described herein, and preferably comprises most or all of them.

In an alignment of the nucleotide sequences of cDNAs encoding the long form of the human 27877 protein and the bovine PA-PLA1 (SEQ ID NO:7) (made using the ALIGN software, using default parameters, including gap opening penalty=12, and gap extension penalty=2), the nucleic acid sequences of the cDNAs are 87.6% identical. An alignment (made using the ALIGN software, using default parameters, including gap opening penalty=12, and gap extension penalty=2) of the amino acid sequences of the long form of the 27877 protein and the bovine PA-(SEQ ID NO:8), the amino acid sequences of the proteins are 88.5% identical. The similarity of the sequences of human 27877 protein and bovine PA-PLA1 indicates that the two proteins exhibit common activities.

A hydropathy plot of the short and long forms of human 27877 was performed. Polypeptides of the invention include fragments which include: all or part of a hydrophobic sequence e.g., the sequence of about residues 620–636 of either of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 5; all or part of a hydrophilic sequence, e.g., the sequence of residues 200–215 of either of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 5; a sequence which includes a cysteine residue; or a glycosylation site.

Because the 27877 polypeptides of the invention can modulate 27877-mediated activities, they can be used to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents for 27877-mediated or related disorders, as described below.

As used herein, a “27877 activity,” “biological activity of 27877,” or “functional activity of 27877,” refers to an activity exerted by a 27877 protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule on, for example, a 27877-responsive cell or on a 27877 substrate (e.g., a protein substrate) as determined in vivo or in vitro. In one embodiment, a 27877 activity is a direct activity, such as association with a 27877 target molecule. A “target molecule” or “binding partner” of a 27877 protein is a molecule with which the 27877 protein binds or interacts in nature. In an exemplary embodiment, such a target molecule is a 27877 receptor. A 27877 activity can also be an indirect activity, such as a cellular signaling activity mediated by interaction of the 27877 protein with a 27877 receptor.

The 27877 molecules of the present invention are predicted to have similar biological activities as phospholipase family members. For example, the 27877 proteins of the present invention can have one or more of the following activities: catalyzing hydrolysis of an acyl or phosphoacyl bond of a phospholipid; catalyzing production of arachidonic acid; modulating generation of a prostaglandin; modulating generation of a lipoxygenase reaction product formed from arachidonic acid; modulating tumor cell invasion or metastasis; modulating tumorigenesis; modulating a response to infection; modulating inflammation; modulating a cellular response to inflammation; modulating pain impulse generation; modulating pain impulse transmission; modulating pain sensation modulating apoptosis; modulating growth of erythroid lineage precursor cells; modulating differentiation of erythroid lineage precursor cells; and modulating production of erythrocytes. Thus, 27877 molecules described herein can act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for prognosticating, diagnosing, preventing, inhibiting, alleviating, or curing phospholipase-, lipoxygenase-, and cyclooxygenase-related disorders.

Other activities, as described below, include the ability to modulate function, survival, morphology, proliferation and/or differentiation of cells of tissues in which 27877 molecules are expressed. Thus, the 27877 molecules can act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for controlling disorders involving aberrant activities of these cells. 27877 molecules can also act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for controlling cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders (e.g., hematopoietic neoplastic disorders, carcinoma, sarcoma, metastatic disorders or hematopoietic neoplastic disorders, e.g., leukemias. A metastatic tumor can arise from a multitude of primary tumor types, including but not limited to those of prostate, colon, lung, breast, and liver origin.

Based on data generated by reverse-transcriptase PCR sequence detection (i.e., “TAQMAN®”) techniques using a panel of tissues obtained from selected human tissues, a high level of 27877 expression was observed in normal brain cortex. Brain cortex is the tissue location of numerous physiological activities, in each of which 27877 proteins can have a role. By way of example, interconnections that are formed in normal brain cortex tissue can mediate muscular and intellectual learning, and can facilitate ‘neuronal learning’ processes whereby physical stimuli can more easily evoke a sensation of pain over time. Because 27877 protein is involved in cell signaling and differentiation processes, 27877 molecules can be used to modulate muscular, intellectual, and neuronal learning processes in humans.

Various neurodegenerative disorders are known to involve aberrant functioning of cell signaling mechanisms. For example, Alzheimer's disease is often characterized by generation and accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles containing large quantities of abnormally phosphorylated tau protein. Although the intracellular signaling mechanisms that affect tau phosphorylation have not been fully elucidated, it is known that numerous signaling proteins (including those which affect intracellular phosphate pools, such as kinase, phosphatases, and phospholipases) can affect the phosphorylation state of tau protein. 27877 protein can influence the phosphorylation state of tau protein, and molecules that affect expression, activity, or cellular level of 27877 protein can be used to modulate phosphate-mediated cellular signaling. Thus, these molecules can be used to treat patients afflicted with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

Because 27877 protein is involved in cell differentiation processes and is expressed in normal brain cortex, modulating expression, activity, or cellular level of 27877 protein can improve recovery of brain tissue following ischemic traumas, such as those associated with stroke and traumatic brain injuries.

Expression of 27877 was also detected in normal brain hypothalamus tissue, astrocytes, and ovary tissue. Each of these cell or tissue types is characterized by growth or proliferation during at least certain portions of the adult lifespan. Involvement of 27877 protein in cell differentiation processes indicates that 27877 molecules can influence growth and proliferation of cells in these tissues, such as differentiation of precursor cells (e.g., neuronal stem cells or partially differentiated brain or ovarian cell types) in a process that leads to formation of the fully-differentiated tissue.

TAQMAN® analysis performed on a panel of selected human hematological tissues indicated high levels of 27877 expression in fetal liver, bone marrow erythrocytes, in vitro generated erythroid lineage progenitor cells at day 6 through day 12, in vitro generated burst forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E), and BFU-E exposed to erythropoietin for 3 days. Each of these tissues and cell types is involved in differentiation of blood cells and blood cell precursors. 27877 was most highly expressed in cells of the myeloid line, particularly in differentiating erythroid lineage progenitor cells (including burst-forming units of erythroid lineage; “BFU-E”) and bone marrow erythrocytes (i.e., GPA+ cells of bone marrow). BFU-E that were exposed to erythropoietin for 3 days expressed 27877 at an even greater level. Expression of 27877 was also observed in bone marrow tissue (including erythroid progenitor cells which expressed GPA at a low level), mobilized peripheral blood, and cord blood CD34+ cells.

These expression data indicate that 27877 has a role in differentiation of erythroid cells, such as in terminal differentiation of these cells to form erythrocytes. An increase in intracellular 27877 activity can lead to increased intracellular production of phosphatidic acid (PA). PA accumulation leads to cessation of cell growth, and this may be a mechanism by which the activity of 27877 protein can modulate the rate or extent of erythroid cell differentiation. PA is also known to act as an intracellular second messenger, and can regulate growth and differentiation of cells in which it is expressed. Involvement of 27877 protein in regulation of intracellular PA indicates that 27877 molecules can be used to modulate erythroid cell growth and differentiation, both in normal tissues and tissues affected by a disorder, particularly disorders which affect erythroid cell growth or differentiation.

27877 molecules can be used to enhance growth and differentiation of erythroid precursor cells to induce formation of erythrocytes and alleviate the severity of the anemia. Naturally, 27877 molecules can also be used to inhibit or prevent anemia in situations in which anemia is anticipated (e.g., in advance of administering a hemolytic medication).

27877 molecules can be used in non-diseased humans in order to increase erythrocyte production. Enhanced erythrocyte production can be beneficial, for example, during or prior to periods of intense physical exertion or exposure to a relatively oxygen-poor altitude (e.g., at high altitudes). These molecules can also be used to enhance oxygen absorption by humans whose oxygen intake may be hampered by environmental contaminants (e.g., carbon monoxide or tobacco smoke) or by physical infirmity (e.g., diaphragm weakness associated with traumatic injury or pneumonia).

Other disorders associated with aberrant growth and proliferation of erythrocytes include polycythemias, which are associated with an overabundance of erythrocytes or hemoglobin. Examples of polycythemias that can be treated using 27877 molecules include polycythemia vera, secondary polycythemia, and relative polycythemia.

Gene Expression of 27877

Expression of 27877 was assessed in a variety of cell and tissue types using a standard TAQMAN™ PCR-based sequence detection procedure. The data collected from these experiments are summarized in Tables 2–6.

TABLE 2 Relative Tissue or Cell Type Expression Normal Artery 0.2 Normal Vein 0.8 Early Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells 7.2 Coronary Smooth Muscle Cells 14.3 Static Human Umbilical Vascular Epithelial Cells 8.3 Shear Human Umbilical Vascular Epithelial Cells 8.4 Normal Heart 2.2 Heart Congestive Heart Failure 3.4 Kidney 6.4 Skeletal Muscle 1.7 Normal Adipose 0.4 Pancreas 3.2 Primary Osteoblasts 1.4 Differentiated Osteoclasts 0.2 Normal Skin 3.2 Normal Spinal cord 4.9 Normal Brain Cortex 128 Normal Brain Hypothalamus 32.0 Nerve 3.9 Dorsal Root Ganglion 9.3 Glial Cells (Astrocytes) 31.9 Glioblastoma 2.5 Normal Breast 1.2 Breast Tumor 5.3 Normal Ovary 21.9 Ovary Tumor 2.9 Normal Prostate 2.0 Prostate Tumor 2.7 Prostate Epithelial Cells 6.8 Normal Colon 0.6 Colon Tumor 3.8 Normal Lung 0.7 Lung Tumor 5.2 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Lung 1.7 Inflammatory Bowel Disease Colon 0.8 Normal Liver 1.4 Liver fibrosis 4.3 Dermal Cells - fibroblasts 4.3 Normal Spleen 2.7 Normal Tonsil 3.9 Lymph node 9.5 Resting Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells 1.0 Skin-Decubitus 5.9 Synovium 1.8 Bone marrow mononuclear cells 2.8 Activated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells 3.0

TABLE 3 Relative Tissue or Cell Type Expression Lung MPI 188 1 Kidney 9 Spleen 3 Fetal Liver MPI BMW54 17 Grans #9 3 NHDF Mock 1 NHLF Mock 4 NHLF TGF 5 NC Heps 2 Pass Stell 2 Liver LF NDR 200 0 Liver LF NDR 191 1 Lymph Nodes 11 Tonsils 3 TH0 046 6 hr 3 TH1 046 6 hr 5 TH2 046 6 hr 3 CD8 6 CD14 0 CD19 2 CD3 Resting 3 MBM MNC LP139 1 mPB CD34+ LP152 1 Bone Marrow CD34+ LP154 1 Cord Blood CD34+ LP121 2 Erythroid 32 Meg 3 Neut d 14 1 Bone Marrow CD15+ CD14− LP32 0 mBM CD15+ CD11b− 0 Bone Marrow GPA+ 14 K562 7 HL60 6 Molt4 22 Normal Hep3b 3 Hep3b Hyp 8

TABLE 4 Relative Tissue or Cell Type Expression Brain 8.7 Brain Cortex 18.2 Breast 0.7 Colon Tumor 0.5 Heart 2.0 Kidney 1.3 Normal Liver 0.4 Liver fib 0.5 Lung Tumor 1.2 Ovary 2.4 mBM CD34+ LP92 1.3 mBM CD34+ LP143 1.2 mPB CD34+ LF70 1.2 mPB CD34+ LF162 1.1 Bone Marrow CD34+ LF93 0.4 Bone Marrow CD34+ LP154 2.0 Cord Blood CD34+ LP121 1.7 Cord Blood CD34+LF101 2.1 GPA+ High LP34−1 9.8 GPA+ High 9.5 GPA+ High 69 5.6 GPA+ High 74 3.2 GPA+ Low LP69 5.4 GPA+ Low LP82 3.6 In Vitro Erythroid 24 hours LF102 3.9 In Vitro Erythroid 48 hours LF87 2.7 In Vitro Erythroid 48 hours LF102 4.0 In Vitro Erythroid 48 hours LF72 7.6 In Vitro Erythroid day 6 LP31−1 7.8 In Vitro Erythroid day 6 LF113 21.1 In Vitro Erythroid day 7 LF24−5 13.6 In Vitro Erythroid day 8 LF113 24.2 In Vitro Erythroid day 10 LP24−4 16.0 In Vitro Erythroid day 12 LF23−8 13.1 In Vitro Erythroid day 12 LF24−10 13.0 In Vitro Erythroid day 12 LF113 13.5 In Vitro Erythroid day 14 GPA+ LP31−4 3.7 In Vitro Burst-Forming Unit day 7 LP79 10.6 In Vitro Burst-Forming Unit day 7 LP95 10.9 In Vitro Burst-Forming Unit day 7 + 3 days 10.9 Erythropoietin LP81 In Vitro Burst-Forming Unit day 7 + 3 days 15.6 Erythropoietin LP104

TABLE 5 Relative Tissue or Cell Type Expression Lung 2 Colon MPI 60 2 Spleen MPI 380 4 Kidney MPI 58 2 Liver NDR 200 0 Fetal Liver MPI 133 31 Sk Muscle MPI 167 2 mBM MNC LP140 2 mBM MNC LP7 0 mBM CD34+ LP92 4 mBM CD34+ LP143 2 mPB CD34+ LF70 1 mPB CD34+ LP162 1 Bone Marrow CD34+ LF93 1 Bone Marrow CD34+ LP154 2 Cord Blood CD34+ LP163 3 Cord Blood CD34+ LP101 2 Bone Marrow GPA+ LF74 4 Bone Marrow GPA+ LP34−1 18 Bone Marrow GPA^(LOW) LP69 5 Bone Marrow GPA^(LOW) LP82 6 mPB CD41+ CD14− LP119 0 Bone Marrow CD41+ CD14− LP132 1 mBM CD15+ LP15 0 mBM CD15+ CD11b− LF120 0 mBM CD15+ CD11b+ LP15−2 0 Bone Marrow CD15+ CD11b− LF80−4 1 Bone Marrow CD15+ CD11b− LP23−2 0 Bone Marrow CD15+ CD11b− LF128 1 Bone Marrow CD15+ CD11b+ LF128 0 Bone Marrow CD15+ CD34− LP27−2 0 Bone Marrow CD15+ CD34− LP41−1 0

TABLE 6 Relative Tissue or Cell Type Expression In Vitro Erythroid 24 hours LF102 2 In Vitro Erythroid 48 hours LF73 4 In Vitro Erythroid 48 hours LF87 2 In Vitro Erythroid 48 hours LF90 2 In Vitro Erythroid 48 hours LF102 3 In Vitro Erythroid day 6 LP31−1 7 In Vitro Erythroid day 6 LF113 16 In Vitro Erythroid day 7 LF24−5 10 In Vitro Erythroid day 8 LF113 20 In Vitro Erythroid day 10 LP24−4 9 In Vitro Erythroid day 12 LF23−8 13 In Vitro Erythroid day 12 LF24−10 15 In Vitro Erythroid day 12 LF113 9 In Vitro Erythroid day 14 GPA+ LP31−4 2 Megs 24 hr LF102 3 Megs 48 hr LF102 3 Meg d 6 LF110 2 Meg d 7 LP31−2 2 Meg d 10 LF110 2 Meg d 12 LF102 1 Meg d 12 LF35 1 Meg d 14 LP31−5 2 Neutrophils d 4 LF71 2 Neutrophils d 4 LF78 1 Neutrophils d 6 LF26 1 Neutrophils d 6 LP71 1 Neutrophils d 6 LP78 2 Neutrophils d 7 LP41−3 1 Neutrophils d 8 LF78 1 Neutrophils d 11 LF78 3 Neutrophils d 12 LP26B 1 Neutrophils d 13 LF78 3 Neutrophils d 14 LF71 1 Neutrophils d 14 LF78 1 Neutrophils d 14 LP31−6 0 Platelets 0 Mast cells LP71 3 Mast Cells LP118 4 Burst-Forming Units day 7 LP79 12 Burst-Forming Units day 7 LP95 12 Burst-Forming Units day 7+ 3 days Erythropoietin 15 LP81 Burst-Forming Units day 7+ 3 days Erythropoietin 18 LP104 Human 18080

Nucleotide and corresponding amino acid sequences for a serine carboxypeptidase family member, referred to herein as “18080” are disclosed. 18080 protein is identical in sequence to Genbank Accession No. AF282618_(—)1. Applicants have shown expression of 18080 mRNA in human hematopoietic cells, e.g., erythroid cells, as well as, adrenal glands and endothelial cells. Accordingly, modulators of 18080 polypeptide activity or expression may be used to treat or prevent hematopoietic and angiogenic disorders.

The human 18080 sequence (SEQ ID NO:11), which is approximately 1921 nucleotides long including untranslated regions, contains a predicted methionine-initiated coding sequence of about 1356 nucleotides (nucleotides 33–1388 of SEQ ID NO:11; 1–1356 of SEQ ID NO:13), not including the terminal codon. The coding sequence encodes a 452 amino acid protein (SEQ ID NO:12).

The human 18080 protein of SEQ ID NO:12 includes an amino-terminal hydrophobic amino acid sequence, consistent with a signal sequence, of about 27 amino acids (from amino acid 1 to about amino acid 27 of SEQ ID NO:12), which upon cleavage results in the production of a mature protein form. This mature protein form is approximately 425 amino acid residues in length (from about amino acid 28 to amino acid 452 of SEQ ID NO:12).

The serine carboxypeptidase domain of human 18080 was aligned with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a hidden Markov model (HMM) from PFAM. The algorithm identified two local alignments between the consensus amino acid sequence and human 18080. Two consensus amino acid sequences (SEQ ID NOs:14 and 15), aligned to amino acids 42 to 236 and 337 to 451 of SEQ ID NO:12.

Human 18080 contains the following regions or other structural features: a serine carboxypeptidase domain (PROSITE Accession Number PDOC00122) including a serine carboxypeptidase-serine active site (PS00131) and a serine carboxypeptidase-histidine active site (PS00560) located at about amino acid residues 42 to 236 and 337 to 451 of SEQ ID NO:12, respectively; three predicted N-glycosylation sites (PS00001) located at about amino acids 64 to 67, 126 to 129, and 362 to 365 of SEQ ID NO:12; one predicted cAMP/cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation sites (PS00004) located at about amino acids 101 to 104 of SEQ ID NO:12; four predicted Protein Kinase C phosphorylation sites (PS00005) located at about amino acids 44 to 46, 61 to 63, 188 to 190, and 417 to 419 of SEQ ID NO:12; six predicted Casein Kinase II phosphorylation sites (PS00006) located at about amino acids 204 to 207, 220 to 223, 280 to 283, 284 to 287, 351 to 354, and 449 to 452 of SEQ ID NO:12; and eight predicted N-myristylation sites (PS00008) located at about amino acids 22 to 27, 76 to 81, 119 to 124, 169 to 174, 187 to 192, 195 to 200, 331 to 336, and 360 to 365 of SEQ ID NO:12.

For general information regarding PFAM identifiers, PS prefix and PF prefix domain identification numbers, refer to Sonnhammer et al. (1997) Protein 28:405–420.

Proteolytic enzymes that exploit serine in their catalytic activity are ubiquitous, being found in viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotes. See, e.g., Rawlings & Barrett (1994) Methods Enzymol. 244: 19–61. Over 20 families of serine peptidase have been identified, these being grouped into 6 clans on the basis of structural similarity and other functional evidence. Structures are known for 4 of the clans: these appear to be totally unrelated, suggesting at least four evolutionary origins of serine peptidases. Their different evolutionary origins notwithstanding, there are similarities in the reaction mechanisms of several peptidases. Carboxypeptidase C family, like chymotrypsin and subtilisin, has a catalytic triad of serine (S), aspartate (D), and histidine (H): serine acts as a nucleophile, aspartate as an electrophile, and histidine as a base. See, e.g., Rawlings & Barrett (1994) Biochem. J. 290: 205–218.

Carboxypeptidase C includes a number of serine carboxypeptidases, which are unusual in that their optimum activity occurs in acidic conditions. In higher organisms, serine carboxypeptidases are glycoproteins (for reviews, see Breddam (1986) Carlsberg Res. Commun. 51: 83–128), and hydrolyze COOH-terminal peptide bonds. In humans, a highly specific serine carboxypeptidase cleaves the COOH-terminal residue of angiotensin II and III, and may be involved in the regulation of blood pressure. See, e.g., Odya et al. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253: 5927–5931 and Odya & Erdos (1981) Methods Enzymol. 80: 460–466. In addition, serine carboxypeptidases may be involved in degrading growth factors or extracellular matrix.

The 18080 protein contains a significant number of structural characteristics in common with members of the serine carboxypeptidase family. Serine carboxypeptidase family members are characterized by a common catalytic mechanism which is provided by a charge relay system involving an aspartic acid residue hydrogen-bonded to a histidine, which is itself hydrogen-bonded to a serine. The catalytic triad catalyzes a hydrolysis reaction involving a COOH-terminal peptide bond. A serine carboxypeptidase family of proteins has two signature motifs—one motif includes the residues of [LIVM]-x-[GTA]-E-S-Y-[AG]-[GS] (SEQ ID NO:16), which contains the catalytic serine (S); and one motif spans the region encoded by [LIVF]-x(2)-[LIVSTA]-x-[IVPST]-x-[GSDNQL]-[SAGV]-[SG]-H-x-[IVAQ]-P-x(3)-[PSA] (SEQ ID NO:17), which contains the catalytic histidine (H). Residues corresponding to catalytic serine and histidine residues are located at amino acids 167 and 431 of SEQ ID NO:12, respectively. The amino acid sequence of 18080 is identical to the sequence of a serine carboxypeptidase 1 precursor protein having Genbank's accession number AAG16692 (AF282618).

As used herein, the term “serine carboxypeptidase domain” includes an amino acid sequence of about 50 to 500 amino acid residues in length, more preferably about 70 to 400 amino acid residues, or about 100 to 350 amino acids and has a bit score for the alignment of the sequence to the serine carboxypeptidase domain (HMM) of at least 70 or greater. Preferably, the domain includes one motif: IFSESYGG (SEQ ID NO:18) located at about amino acids 163 to 170 of SEQ ID NO:12, which includes the catalytic serine (located at amino acid 167 of SEQ ID NO:12), and another motif: LAFYWILKAGHMVP (SEQ ID NO:19) located at about amino acids 421 to 434 of SEQ ID NO:12, which includes the catalytic histidine (located at amino acid 431 of SEQ ID NO:12). The serine carboxypeptidase motif including a catalytic serine (HMM) has been assigned the PFAM Accession Number PF00131, and the serine carboxypeptidase motif including a catalytic histidine (HMM) has been assigned the PFAM Accession Number PF00560. The serine carboxypeptidase domain (amino acids 42 to 236 and 337 to 451 of SEQ ID NO:12) of human 18080 aligns with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a hidden Markov model derived from PFAM.

In a preferred embodiment 18080 polypeptide or protein has a “serine carboxypeptidase domain” or a region which includes at least about 50 to 500 more preferably about 70 to 400, or 100 to 350 amino acid residues and has at least about 50%, 60%, 70% 80% 90% 95%, 99%, or 100% homology with a “serine carboxypeptidase domain,” e.g., the serine carboxypeptidase domain of human 18080 (e.g., residues 42 to 236 and 337 to 451 of SEQ ID NO:12).

In a hydropathy plot of human 18080, polypeptides of the invention include fragments which include: all or part of a hydrophobic sequence, e.g., the sequence from about amino acid 135 to 152 of SEQ ID NO:12; and all or part of a hydrophilic sequence, e.g., the sequence of from about amino acid 93 to 108 of SEQ ID NO:12.

To identify the presence of a “serine carboxypeptidase” domain in a 18080 protein sequence, and make the determination that a polypeptide or protein of interest has a particular profile, the amino acid sequence of the protein can be searched against the Pfam database of HMMs (e.g., the Pfam database, release 2.1) using the default parameters. For example, the hmmsf program, which is available as part of the HMMER package of search programs, is a family specific default program for MILPAT0063 and a score of 15 is the default threshold score for determining a hit. Alternatively, the threshold score for determining a hit can be lowered (e.g., to 8 bits). A description of the Pfam database can be found in Sonhammer et al. (1997) Proteins 28(3): 405–420 and a detailed description of HMMs can be found, for example, in Gribskov et al. (1990) Meth. Enzymol. 183:146–159; Gribskov et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:4355–4358; Krogh et al. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 235:1501–1531; and Stultz et al. (1993) Protein Sci. 2:305–314, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. A search was performed against the HMM database resulting in the identification of two “serine carboxypeptidase” domains in the amino acid sequence of human 18080 at about residues 42 to 236 and 337 to 451 of SEQ ID NO:12.

A 18080 protein can further include a signal peptide, and is predicted to be a secreted protein. As used herein, a “signal peptide” or “signal sequence” refers to a peptide of about 10 to 40, preferably about 15 to 30, more preferably, about 27 amino acid residues in length which occurs at the N-terminus of secretory and integral membrane proteins and which contains a majority of hydrophobic amino acid residues. For example, a signal sequence contains at least about 10 to 40, preferably about 15 to 30, more preferably, 27 amino acid residues, and has at least about 40–70%, preferably about 50–65%, and more preferably about 55–60% hydrophobic amino acid residues (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, or proline). Such a “signal sequence”, also referred to in the art as a “signal peptide,” serves to direct a protein containing such a sequence to a lipid bilayer. For example, in one embodiment, a 18080 protein contains a signal sequence of about amino acids 1 to 27 of SEQ ID NO:12. The “signal sequence” is cleaved during processing of the mature protein. The mature 18080 protein corresponds to amino acids 28 to 452 of SEQ ID NO:12.

A 18080 family member can include a “serine carboxypeptidase domain” or regions homologous with a “serine carboxypeptidase domain.” A 18080 polypeptide can optionally further include at least one, two, preferably three N-glycosylation sites (PS0001); at least one cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation site (PS0004); at least one, two, three, preferably four protein kinase C phosphorylation sites (PS0005); at least one, two, three, four, five, preferably six casein kinase II phosphorylation sites (PS0006); and at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, preferably eight N-myristylation sites (PS0008).

Based on the above-described sequence similarities and the tissue distribution described below, the 18080 molecules of the present invention are predicted to have similar biological activities as serine carboxypeptidase family members. Thus, in accordance with the invention, a 18080 serine carboxypeptidase or subsequence or variant polypeptide may have one or more domains and, therefore, one or more activities or functions characteristic of a serine carboxypeptidase family member, including, but not limited to: (1) modulating removal of COOH-terminal residues, i.e., having carboxypeptidase activity; (2) modulating the transfer of an acyl group from a donor to an acceptor molecule, i.e., having acyltransferase activity; (3) modulating (e.g., stimulating) cell differentiation, e.g., differentiation of hematopoietic cells (e.g., differentiation of blood cells (e.g., erythroid progenitor cells, such as CD34+ erythroid progenitors)); (4) modulating hematopoiesis, e.g., erythropoiesis; (5) modulating cell proliferation, e.g., proliferation of hematopoietic cells (e.g., erythroid progenitor cells); (6) modulating apoptosis, of a cell, e.g., increase apoptosis of a cancer cell, e.g., a leukemic cell, (e.g., an erythroleukemia cell); or suppress apoptosis of a blood or erythroid cell; or (7) modulating erythroid progenitors by allowing greater interaction with growth factors or extracellular matrix.

As the 18080 polypeptides of the invention may modulate 18080-mediated activities, they may be useful as of for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents for 18080-mediated or related disorders, as described below.

As used herein, a “18080 activity”, “biological activity of 18080” or “functional activity of 18080”, refers to an activity exerted by a 18080 protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule. For example, a 18080 activity can be an activity exerted by 18080 in a physiological milieu on, e.g., a 18080-responsive cell or on a 18080 substrate, e.g., a protein substrate. A 18080 activity can be determined in vivo or in vitro. In one embodiment, a 18080 activity is a direct activity, such as an association with a 32229 target molecule. A “target molecule” or “binding partner” is a molecule with which a 18080 protein binds or interacts in nature. In an exemplary embodiment, 18080 is an enzyme for peptide or protein substrate. In other embodiments, an 18080 has acyltransferase activity.

18080 mRNA is found primarily in hematopoietic progenitor cells (Tables 7–11). High levels of 18080 mRNA expression were observed in erythroid cells. Its expression is further enhanced in the erythroid lineage and increases as bone marrow/blood cell differentiation proceeds. High levels of 18080 mRNA expression were also detected in adrenal glands and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECS). Tables 8–11 show TaqMan assays on mRNA most derived from human hematological samples, e.g., bone marrow (BM), erythroid cells (Eryth), megakaryocytes (Meg), neutrophils (Neut), or a negative reference sample (NTC). In Table 8, 18080 mRNA was highly expressed in BM glycophorin A (GPA) positive cells, followed by mBM CD34+ cells and Eryth cells. In Table 9, 18080 mRNA expression was observed in GPA Hi/Lo LF 156 Eryth cells, GPA Hi/Lo LF154 Eryth cells, and Kidney cells. In Table 10, mRNA expression was detected at the indicated times in culture (e.g., 24 hrs, 48 hrs, 6 days (D6), 12 days (D12). High levels of 18080 expressions were observed in one sample of Eryth LF127 cells and in one sample of Eryth LF139 cells, especially day 6 and day 12, respectively. In Table 11, mRNA expression was detected at the indicated times in culture (e.g., 24 hrs., 48 hrs., days in culture). Moderate level of 18080 mRNA expressions were observed in Meg LF 157 cells and Neut LF141 cells, especially day 10 and day 6, respecitively.

Significant expression of 18080 mRNA is found in the bone marrow, cord blood, fetal liver, and in particular, in glycophorin A-expressing (GPA) cells or CD34-expressing populations of cells from those tissues, such as mobilized peripheral blood GPA+/CD34+ cells, normal adult bone marrow GPA+/CD34+ cells, cord blood GPA+/CD34+ cells, normal adult bone marrow GPA+/CD34+ cells, and fetal liver GPA+/CD34+ cells; as well as erythroid progenitor cells, e.g., erythropoietin treated erythroid burst forming units (BFUs), erythrocytes, in vitro generated erythroblasts, and megakaryocytes (Tables 7–8). Thus, diagnostic and therapeutic methods using the molecules of the invention (or agents that modulate the activity or expression of the 18080 molecules) to treat/diagnose disorders involving the cells/tissues expressing 18080 molecules are contemplated by the present invention. Inhibition of the 18080 molecules will likely stimulate erythroid progenitors by allowing greater interaction with growth factors or extracellular matrix.

As used herein, a “glycophorin A-positive cell” or a “glycophorin A-expressing cell-cell” refers to a cell that expresses detectable levels of the glycophorin A antigen, preferably human glycophorin A antigen. Glycophorin A is a 31 kD erythrocyte membrane glycoprotein, and is typically present on immature hematopoietic precursor cells and hematopoietic colony-forming cells in the bone marrow.

As used herein, a “CD34-positive cell” or a “CD34-expressing cell” refers to a cell that expresses detectable levels of the CD34 antigen, preferably human CD34 antigen. The sequence for human CD34 is provided in SwissProt Accession Number P28906. The CD34 antigen is typically present on immature hematopoietic precursor cells and hematopoietic colony-forming cells in the bone marrow, including unipotent (CFU-GM, BFU-E) and pluripotent progenitors (CFU-GEMM, CFU-Mix and CFU-blast). The CD34 is also expressed on stromal cell precursors. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-positive B- and T-lymphoid precursors in normal bone also are CD34+. The CD34 antigen is typically present on early myeloid cells that express the CD33 antigen, but lack the CD14 and CD15 antigens and on early erythroid cells that express the CD71 antigen and dimly express the CD45 antigen. The CD34 antigen is also found on capillary endothelial cells and approximately 1% of human thymocytes. Normal peripheral blood lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes and platelets do not express the CD34 antigen. CD34 antigen density is highest on early hematopoietic progenitor cells and decreases as the cells mature. The antigen is undetectably on fully differentiated hematopoietic cells. Approximately 60% of acute B-lymphoid leukemia's and acute myeloid leukemia express the CD34 antigen. The antigen is not expressed on chronic lymphoid leukemia (B or T lineage) or lymphomas.

As the 18080 polypeptides of the invention may modulate 18080-mediated activities, they may be useful as of for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents for 18080-mediated or related disorders, e.g., hematopoeitic disorder (e.g., blood cell- (e.g., erythroid-) associated disorders), endothelial cell disorders, cardiovascular disorders, as well as angiogenic disorders (e.g., cancerous disorders and/or disorders involving aberrant tumor growth).

Agents that modulate 18080 polypeptide or nucleic acid activity or expression can be used to treat anemias, in particular, drug-induced anemias or anemias associated with cancer chemotherapy, chronic renal failure, malignancies, adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, disorders of hemoglobin synthesis, prematurity, and zidovudine treatment of HIV infection. A subject receiving the treatment can be additionally treated with a second agent, e.g., erythropoietin, to further ameliorate the condition.

As used herein, the term “erythropoietin” or “EPO” refers to a glycoprotein produced in the kidney, which is the principal hormone responsible for stimulating red blood cell production (erythrogenesis). EPO stimulates the division and differentiation of committed erythroid progenitors in the bone marrow. Normal plasma erythropoietin levels range from 0.01 to 0.03 Units/mL, and can increase up to 100 to 1,000-fold during hypoxia or anemia. Graber and Krantz, Ann. Rev. Med. 29:51 (1978); Eschbach and Adamson, Kidney Intl. 28:1 (1985). Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo or epoietin alpha) is commercially available as EPOGEN.RTM. (epoietin alpha, recombinant human erythropoietin) (Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, Calif.) and as PROCRIT.RTM. (epoietin alpha, recombinant human erythropoietin) (Ortho Biotech Inc., Raritan, N.J.).

Another example of an erythroid-associated disorder is erythrocytosis. Erythrocytosis, a disorder of red blood cell overproduction caused by excessive and/or ectopic erythropoietin production, can be caused by cancers, e.g., a renal cell cancer, a hepatocarcinoma, and a central nervous system cancer. Diseases associated with erythrocytosis include polycythemias, e.g., polycythemia vera, secondary polycythemia, and relative polycythemia.

Since 18080 mRNA is expressed in endothelial cells, molecules of the incention can be used as therapeutic and diagnostic target to treat enodothelial cell related disorders, e.g., cardiovascular (e.g., blood vessel or hematological disorders), and angiogenic disorders, e.g., cancers or disorders involving tumor growth.

Aberrant expression or activity of the 18080 molecules may be involved in neoplastic disorders. Accordingly, treatment, prevention and diagnosis of cancer or neoplastic disorders related to hematopoietic cells and, in particular, cells of the erythroid lineage are also included in the present invention. Such neoplastic disorders are exemplified by erythroid leukemias, or leukemias of erythroid precursor cells, e.g., poorly differentiated acute leukemias such as erythroblastic leukemia and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia. Additional exemplary myeloid disorders include, but are not limited to, acute promyeloid leukemia (APML), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) (reviewed in Vaickus, L. (1991) Crit Rev. in Oncol./Hemotol. 11:267–97). In particular, AML can include the uncontrolled proliferation of CD34+ cells such as AML subtypes M1 and M2, myeloblastic leukemias with and without maturation, and AML subtype M6, erythroleukemia (Di Guglielmo's disease). Additional neoplastic disorders include a myelodysplastic syndrome or preleukemic disorder, e.g., oligoblastic leukemia, smoldering leukemia. Additional cancers of the erythroid lineage include erythroblastosis, and other relevant diseases of the bone marrow.

The molecules of the invention may also modulate the activity of neoplastic, non-hematopoietic tissues. Accordingly, the 18080 molecules can act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for controlling one or more of cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders. Examples of such cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders include cancer, e.g., carcinoma, sarcoma, or metastatic disorders. A metastatic tumor can arise from a multitude of primary tumor types, including but not limited to those of lung, prostate, colon, breast, and liver origin.

Gene Expression of 18080

Table 7 depicts relative 18080 mRNA expression as determined by TaqMan assays in a panel of human tissues, including artery normal, aorta diseased, vein normal, coronary SMC, Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC), heart, pancreas, skin, spinal cord, brain, adrenal glands, dorsal root gland (DRG), nerve, breast, ovary, colon, lung, liver, megakaryocytes, and erythroid. The highest 18080 mRNA expression was observed in erythroid, followed by adrenal glands and HUVEC cells. Moderate 18080 mRNA expression was observed in most of the other tissues

Tables 8–11 depicts relative 18080 mRNA expression as determined by TaqMan assays on mRNA most derived from human hematological samples, e.g., bone marrow (BM), erythroid cells (Eryth), megakaryocytes (Meg), neutrophils (Neut), or a negative reference sample (NTC). In Table 8, 18080 mRNA was highly expressed in BM glycophorin A (GPA) positive cells, followed by mBM CD34+ cells and erythroid cells. In Table 9, 18080 mRNA expression was observed in GPA Hi/Lo LF 156 Eryth cells, GPA Hi/Lo LF154 erythroid cells, and kidney cells. In Table 10, mRNA expression was detected at the indicated times in culture (e.g., 24 hrs, 48 hrs, 6 days (D6), 12 days (D12). High levels of 18080 expressions were observed in one sample of Eryth LF127 cells and in one sample of Eryth LF139 cells, especially day 6 and day 12, respectively. In Table 11, 18080 mRNA expression was detected at the indicated times in culture (e.g., 24 hrs., 48 hrs., days in culture). Moderate levels of 18080 mRNA expressions were observed in Meg LF 157 cells and Neut LF141 cells, especially day 10 and day 6, respecitively. The relative tissue distribution of 18080 mRNA is depicted in tabular form in Tables 8–11.

TABLE 7 Tissue Type Mean β 2 Mean ∂∂ Ct Expression Artery normal 27 21 6 18 Aorta diseased 29 23 6 16 Vein normal 27 20 7 10 Coronary SMC 28 21 6 12 HUVEC 26 21 5 33 Hemangioma 29 21 8 3 Heart normal 27 21 7 11 Heart CHF 28 21 6 12 Kidney 27 21 6 15 Skeletal Muscle 30 23 7 7 Liver normal 30 20 10 1 Small intestine normal 31 21 10 1 Adipose normal 28 20 8 5 Pancreas 31 23 9 3 primary osteoblasts 28 20 8 4 Bladder-Female normal 28 20 8 5 Adrenal Gland normal 25 20 5 30 Pituitary Gland normal 28 21 8 5 Brain Cortex normal 30 23 6 13 Brain Hypothalamus normal 29 22 7 6 Nerve 29 21 7 6 DRG (Dorsal Root Ganglion) 29 22 8 5 Breast normal 27 21 6 17 Breast tumor/IDC 29 20 8 3 Ovary normal 28 21 8 5 Ovary Tumor 27 21 6 11 Prostate BPH 27 20 7 11 Prostate Adenocarcinoma 28 21 7 7 Colon normal 28 20 8 4 Colon Adenocarcinoma 30 22 8 5 Lung normal 27 19 8 4 Lung tumor 28 22 6 13 Lung COPD 26 19 7 6 Colon IBD 32 21 11 1 Synovium 29 20 9 2 Tonsil normal 28 19 8 3 Lymph node normal 29 21 8 3 Liver fibrosis 31 22 9 2 Spleen normal 29 19 10 1 Macrophages 25 18 7 7 Progenitors (erythroid, mega- 29 20 8 3 karyocyte, neutrophil) Megakaryocytes 28 20 7 6 Activated PBMC 30 17 13 0 Neutrophils 30 19 11 1 Erythroid 27 22 5 32 positive control 28 22 6 12

TABLE 8 18080 B2 relative exp. lung 24 18 24 kidney 23 19 53 spleen 26 20 14 fetal liver 29 24 31 grans. 28 21 9 NHDF mock 24 18 22 NHDF TGF 24 19 31 NHLF mock 24 19 22 NHLF TGF 24 18 23 NC Heps 27 20 6 Pass. Stel. 24 18 21 liver 27 20 8 NDR200 29 22 7 NDR191 27 21 14 NDR079 25 20 30 lymph node 25 18 10 tonsil 24 19 22 Th0 27 17 1 Th1 27 17 1 Th2 27 17 1 CD4 29 21 3 CD8 26 18 4 CD14 22 17 32 CD19 27 20 8 CD3 27 18 2 mBM CD34+ 23 18 42 mPB CD34+ 27 19 3 BM CD34+ 26 20 15 Cord Blood 27 19 4 Ery. 22 18 42 Megs. 27 21 19 neut. 26 19 5 CD15+14− 22 17 20 mBM CD15+11b− 23 18 22 BM GPA+ 25 22 132 K562 25 20 26 HL60 23 18 36 molt 25 20 18 Hep36norm 25 20 37 Hep36 Hyp 25 21 45 NTC 40 40

TABLE 9 18080 Beta Rel exp Lung CHT 330 28 22 12 Heart PT 262 29 22 9 Spleen 380 27 20 5 Kidney 27 25 21 58 Liver NDR 379 30 22 3 Fetal Liver BWH 54 29 22 7 Brain MCL 400 27 21 16 Colon PIT 259 28 21 7 Muscle PIT 284 30 23 7 mBM MNC LP7 25 19 13 mBM CD34+ LP92 28 20 5 mPB CD34+ LP350 30 20 1 mPB CD34+ LF53 26 20 16 BM CD34+ LF89 27 19 6 BM CD34+ LF75 26 19 12 Cord Blood CD34+ MF1 29 22 5 Cord Blood CD34+ LF101 27 19 3 GPA Hi LF154 27 22 39 GPA Hi LF156 26 21 20 GPA Lo LF154 26 21 31 GPA Lo LF156 27 21 25 MF11 Stromal D 32 post irrad 25 19 13 MF12 Stromal cntl 24 18 12 MF13 Stromal D 2 post irrad 24 17 8

TABLE 10 18080 Beta Rel exp mBM CD61+ LP196 26 21 26 Platelets LP57 39 22 0 mBM CD14−/11b−/15+ LF120 25 19 21 BM CD14−/11b−/15+ LF54 25 20 25 BM CD14−/11b−/15+ LF128 26 19 6 BM CD14−/11b−/15+ LF145 25 20 16 mBM CD14−/11b+/15+ LF120 26 20 11 BM CD14−/11b+/15+ LF106 25 19 23 BM CD11b+/15+ LF128 26 20 19 BM−1 CD15+ ench LP41 26 20 16 Eryth D 0 LF127 30 20 2 Eryth 48 hr LF127 31 24 5 Eryth D 6 LF127 26 22 97 Eryth D 12 LF127 27 21 21 Eryth D 0 LF139 31 22 1 Eryth 24 hr LF139 32 23 1 Eryth 48 hr LF139 30 21 2 Eryth D 6 LF139 27 22 26 Eryth D 12 LF139 26 22 47 BFU Eryth D 7 LP79 27 21 17 BFU Eryth D 7 LP95 28 21 14 BFU Eryth D 7 +3 epo LP81 28 21 11 BFU Eryth D 7 +3 epo LP104 27 22 17 Mast Cell LP118 27 21 20

TABLE 11 18080 Beta Rel exp Meg D 0 LF140 28 20 4 Meg 48 hr LF140 29 20 2 Meg D 6 LF140 27 20 7 Meg D 12 LF140 26 20 9 Meg 24 hr LF102 30 20 1 Meg 48 hr LF102 29 20 2 Meg 48 hr LF110 31 21 1 Meg D 9 LP127 27 20 6 Meg D 10 LF110 27 19 6 Meg D 12 LF26 27 21 10 Meg 24 hr LF157 30 20 2 Meg 48 hr LF157 29 20 2 Meg D 6 LF157 27 19 6 Meg D 10 LF157 26 20 14 Meg D 0 LF166 29 19 1 Meg 24 hr LF166 30 19 1 Meg 48 hr LF166 30 20 1 Meg D 6 LF166 28 20 4 Meg D 10 LF166 27 20 6 Neut D 0 LF141 27 19 4 Neut 48 hr LF141 27 19 5 Neut D 6 LF141 26 19 10 Neut D 12 LF141 25 18 7 Neut D 0 LF144 29 22 7 Neut 48 hr LF144 26 19 11 Neut D 6 LF144 28 21 5 Neut D 12 LF144 28 21 8 NTC 40 40 Human 14081

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a serine protease, referred to herein as “14081”. The transporter molecule of the invention shares characteristics with members of the trypsin-like family of serine proteases.

The human 14081 sequence (SEQ ID NO:20), which is approximately 980 nucleotides long including untranslated regions, contains a predicted methionine-initiated coding sequence of about 780 nucleotides, not including the termination codon (nucleotides 18–797 of SEQ ID NO:20; 1–780 of SEQ ID NO:22). The coding sequence encodes a 260 amino acid protein (SEQ ID NO:21).

Human 14081 contains the following regions or other structural features (for general information regarding PFAM identifiers, PS prefix and PF prefix domain identification numbers, refer to Sonnhammer et al. (1997) Protein 28:405–420 and a trypsin-like domain located at about amino acid nucleotides 4 to 242 of SEQ ID NO:21; two transmembrane domains (predicted 106 to 122 and 203 to 219 of SEQ ID NO:21; two protein kinase C phosphorylation sites (Prosite PS00005) located at about amino acids 158 to 160, and 177 to 179 of SEQ ID NO:21; three casein kinase II phosphorylation sites (Prosite PS00006) located at about amino acids 91 to 94, 135 to 138, and 218 to 221 of SEQ ID NO:21; two N-glycosylation sites (Prosite PS00001) located at about amino acids 25 to 28 and 49 to 52 of SEQ ID NO:21; and four N-myristoylation sites (Prosite PS00008) located at about amino acids 7 to 12, 26 to 31, 32 to 37, and 88 to 93 of SEQ ID NO:21.

A hydropathy plot of human 14081 was performed. Polypeptides of the invention include fragments which include: all or part of a hydrophobic sequence, e.g., the sequence from about amino acid 25 to 45 (a sequence that includes a glycosylation site at position 24 to 28), from about 52 to 62, from about 91 to 122, and from about 203 to 219 of SEQ ID NO:21; all or part of a hydrophilic sequence, e.g., the sequence from about amino acid 6 to 32, from about 131 to 146, from about 166 to 181, and from about 222 to 232 of SEQ ID NO:21.

Proteases are enzymes that cleave proteins at single, specific peptide bonds. Proteases can be classified into four generic classes; serine, thiol or cysteinyl, acid or aspartyl, and metalloproteases (Cuypers et al., J. Biol. Chem. 257:7086 (1982)). Proteases are essential to a variety of biological activities, such as digestion, formation and dissolution of blood clots, reproduction, cell growth, and the mounting of an immune reaction to foreign cells and organisms. Aberrant proteolysis is associated with a number of disease states in man and other mammals.

The serine proteases include enzymes such as elastase (human leukocyte), cathepsin G, plasmin, C-1 esterase, C-3 convertase, urokinase, plasminogen activator, acrosin, and kallikreins. The trypsin-like subclass of serine proteases include chymotrypsin, trypsin, thrombin, plasmin, Factor Xa. Certain trypsin-like proteases such as thrombin, plasmin, and Factor Xa, occupy a central role in hemostasis and thrombosis.

Homeostasis, the control of bleeding, is regulated by the physiological properties of vasoconstriction and coagulation. Under normal hemostatic circumstances, the body maintains an acute balance between clot formation and clot removal (fibrinolysis). The blood coagulation cascade involves the conversion of a variety of inactive enzymes (zymogens) into active enzymes which ultimately convert the soluble plasma protein fibrinogen into an insoluble matrix of highly cross-linked fibrin, Davie, E. J. et al., “The Coagulation Cascade: Initiation, Maintenance and Regulation,” Biochemistry, 30, 10363–10370 (1991). The coagulation cascade is initiated with the activation of Factor X by activated Factor VII and Tissue Factor. Factor Xa and Factor VIIa are both trypsin-like serine proteases, which are involved in platelet activation and thrombus formation. In certain diseases of the cardiovascular system, deviations from normal hemostasis push the balance of clot formation and clot dissolution towards life-threatening thrombus formation when thrombi occlude blood flow in coronary vessels (myocardial infarctions) or limb and pulmonary veins (venous thrombosis).

Proteases are a major target for drug action and development. Accordingly, it is valuable to the field of pharmaceutical development to identify and characterize protease enzymes. The present invention advances the state of the art by providing a human serine protease. The invention further provides the opportunity to identify inhibitors and/or activators of a serine proteolytic enzyme, which may be useful in treating thrombosis-related and other serine protease-related disorders.

The 14081 protein contains a number of structural characteristics in common with members of the serine protease family. Among these characteristics are domains required for substrate binding, specificity, and catalysis. In particular serine proteases have a critical serine residue in the active site or catalytic domain of the enzyme that is required for catalysis. Typically, the catalytic domain has the consensus sequence -G-D-S-G-G-P-L- (SEQ ID NO:24) surrounding the active Ser residue.

As used herein, the term “serine protease” includes a protein or polypeptide that is capable of degrading protein, which has a serine residue at its catalytic center. A specific class of serine proteases, the trypsin-like serine proteases, share homology with the protease trypsin. Some trypsin-like serine proteases (e.g., trypsin, chymotrypsin, and elastase) are digestive enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of protein in food. Other trypsin-like serine proteases (e.g., thrombin, plasmin, factor Xa) participate in the regulation of the coagulation cascade to regulate homeostasis. Trypsin-like and other serine proteases differ in their protein specificity that is, each is active only against the peptide bonds in protein molecules that have carboxyl groups donated by certain amino acids. For the enzyme trypsin, these amino acids are arginine and lysine, for chymotrypsin they are tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, methionine, and leucine. Trypsin is the most discriminating of all the proteolytic enzymes in terms of the restricted number of chemical bonds that it will attack. Trypsin cleaves very specifically at R—X and K—X bonds. If X═P, no cleavage occurs.

Members of a serine protease family of proteins share a common catalytic mechanism characterized structurally by the possession of a reactive serine (Ser) residue that is essential for their enzymatic activity. Conserved histidine (His) (e.g., located anywhere from residues 41–46 of SEQ ID NO:21) and arginine (Arg) residues, which with Ser (located anywhere from residues 193–204 of SEQ ID NO:21) make up what is known as the catalytic triad, are also catalytically essential. The His and Ser residues are located at the substrate-binding site together with the conserved Asp, which is commonly buried in a solvent inaccessible pocket in a folded serine protease protein. Alignment among family members of the trypsin-like proteases (e.g., trypsin, chyrmotrypsin, bovine trypsin, and pocine elastase) shows that these enzymes are about 40% identical in their internal sequences, and their internal sequences are even more alike (Voet & Voet, Biochemistry, John Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y. p. 373–382 (1990)).

A 14081 polypeptide can include a “serine protease domain” or regions homologous with a “serine protease domain”. A 14081 polypeptide can further include a “trypsin-like serine protease domain” or regions homologous with a “trypsin-like serine protease domain.” and at least one catalytic triad.

As used herein, the term “trypsin-like domain” includes an amino acid sequence of about 4 to 242 amino acid residues in length and having a bit score for the alignment of the sequence to the trypsin-like domain (HMM) of at least 280. Preferably a trypsin-like domain mediates proteolytic degradation of proteins and polypeptides. Preferably, a trypsin-like domain includes at least about 5 to 10 amino acids, more preferably about 10 to 100 amino acid residues, more preferably 100 to 200, or about 200 to 250 amino acids and has a bit score for the alignment of the sequence to the trypsin-like domain (HMM) of at least 50, more preferably 100, most preferably 200 or greater.

As mentioned above, the trypsin-like domain can include a trypsin-like catalytic domain having a catalytic triad. In the above conserved signature sequence, and other motifs or signature sequences described herein, the standard IUPAC one-letter code for the amino acids is used. Each element in the pattern is separated by a dash (-); square brackets ([ ]) indicate the particular residues that are accepted at that position; x indicates that any residue is accepted at that position; and numbers in parentheses (( )) indicate the number of residues represented by the accompanying amino acid. The consensus sequence surrounding the active site of trypsin is -G-D-S-G-G-P-L- (SEQ ID NO:24) located about amino acids 197 to 203 of SEQ ID NO:21 of human 14081 polypeptide. The trypsin-like domain (amino acids 4 to 242 of SEQ ID NO:21) of human 14081 aligns with the trypsin consensus amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:23) derived from a hidden Markov model.

In a preferred embodiment, a 14081 polypeptide or protein has a “trypsin-like domain” or a region which includes at least about 5 to 10 more preferably about 100 to 200 or 200 to 250 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70% 80% 90% 95%, 99%, or 100% homology with a “trypsin-like domain,” e.g., the trypsin-like domain of human 14081 (e.g., residues 4 to 242 of SEQ ID NO:21).

To identify the presence of a “trypsin-like” domain in a 14081 protein sequence, and make the determination that a polypeptide or protein of interest has a particular profile, the amino acid sequence of the protein can be searched against the Pfam database of HMMs (e.g., the Pfam database, release 2.1) using the default parameters. For example, the hmmsf program, which is available as part of the HMMER package of search programs, is a family specific default program for MILPAT0063 and a score of 15 is the default threshold score for determining a hit. Alternatively, the threshold score for determining a hit can be lowered (e.g., to 8 bits). A description of the Pfam database can be found in Sonhammer et al. (1997) Proteins 28:405–420 and a detailed description of HMMs can be found, for example, in Gribskov et al. (1990) Meth. Enzymol. 183:146–159; Gribskov et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:4355–4358; Krogh et al. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 235:1501–1531; and Stultz et al. (1993) Protein Sci. 2:305–314, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. A search was performed against the HMM database resulting in the identification of a “trypsin-like domain” domain in the amino acid sequence of human 14081 at about residues 4 to 242 of SEQ ID NO:21.

A 14081 polypeptide can include at least one, preferably two “transmembrane domains” or regions homologous with a “transmembrane domain”. As used herein, the term “transmembrane domain” includes an amino acid sequence of about 10 to 40 amino acid residues in length and spans the plasma membrane. Transmembrane domains are rich in hydrophobic residues, e.g., at least 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or more of the amino acids of a transmembrane domain are hydrophobic, e.g., leucines, isoleucines, tyrosines, or tryptophans. Transmembrane domains typically have alpha-helical structures and are described in, for example, Zagotta et al., (1996) Annual Rev. Neurosci. 19:235–263, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The transmembrane domains of human 14081 are located at about residues 106 to 122 and about residues 203 to 219 of SEQ ID NO:21.

To identify the presence of a “transmembrane” domain in a 14081 protein sequence, and make the determination that a polypeptide or protein of interest has a particular profile, the amino acid sequence of the protein can be analyzed by a transmembrane prediction method that predicts the secondary structure and topology of integral membrane proteins based on the recognition of topological models (MEMSAT, Jones et al., (1994) Biochemistry 33:3038–3049).

A 14081 polypeptide can include at least one, preferably three “non-transmembrane regions.” As used herein, the term “non-transmembrane region” includes an amino acid sequence not identified as a transmembrane domain. The non-transmembrane regions in 14081 are located at about amino acids 1 to 105, 123 to 202, and 220 to 260 of SEQ ID NO:21. The second non-transmembrane domain (amino acids 123 to 202) is predicted to be intracellular.

The non-transmembrane regions of 14081 include at least one cytoplasmic region. In one embodiment, a 14081 cytoplasmic region includes at least one, cytoplasmic loop. As used herein, the term “loop” includes an amino acid sequence which is not included within a phospholipid membrane, having a length of at least about 4, preferably about 5 to 30, more preferably about 6 to 60, most preferably 6 to 80 or more amino acid residues, and has an amino acid sequence that connects two transmembrane domains within a protein or polypeptide. Accordingly, the N-terminal amino acid of a loop is adjacent to a C-terminal amino acid of a transmembrane domain in a 14081 molecule, and the C-terminal amino acid of a loop is adjacent to an N-terminal amino acid of a transmembrane domain in a 14081 molecule. As used herein, a “cytoplasmic loop” includes a loop located inside of a cell or within the cytoplasm of a cell. For example, a “cytoplasmic loop” can be found at about amino acid residues 123 to 202 of SEQ ID NO:21.

In a preferred embodiment, a 14081 polypeptide or protein has a cytoplasmic loop or a region which includes at least about 4, preferably about 5 to 30, and more preferably about 6 to 60, most preferably 6 to 80 or more amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70% 80% 90% 95%, 99%, or 100% homology with a cytoplasmic loop,” e.g., a cytoplasmic loop of human 14081 (e.g., residues 123 to 202 of SEQ ID NO:21).

In another embodiment, a 14081 non-transmembrane region includes at least one, two, preferably three non-cytoplasmic loops. As used herein, a “non-cytoplasmic loop” includes a loop located outside of a cell or within an intracellular organelle. Non-cytoplasmic loops include extracellular domains (i.e., outside of the cell) and intracellular domains (i.e., within the cell). When referring to membrane-bound proteins found in intracellular organelles (e.g., mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes microsomes, vesicles, endosomes, and lysosomes), non-cytoplasmic loops include those domains of the protein that reside in the lumen of the organelle or the matrix or the intermembrane space. For example, a “non-cytoplasmic loop” can be found at about amino acid residues 123 to 202 of SEQ ID NO:21.

In a preferred embodiment, a 14081 polypeptide or protein has at least one non-cytoplasmic loop or a region which includes at least about 4, preferably about 5 to 30, more preferably about 6 to 60 most preferably 6 to 80 or more amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70% 80% 90% 95%, 99%, or 100% homology with a “non-cytoplasmic loop,” e.g., at least one non-cytoplasmic loop of human 14081 (e.g., residues 1 to 105, 123 to 202, and 220 to 260 of SEQ ID NO:21).

A human 14081 protein can further include at least one tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site (e.g., at residues 48 to 56 and 167 to 173) or an amidation site (e.g., at residues 189 to 192) or a glycosylation site (e.g., at residues 25 to 28 and 49 to 52) or a myristoylation site (e.g., at residues 7 to 12, 26 to 31, 32 to 37, and 88 to 93).

A 14081 family member can include at least one trypsin-like domains; and optionally a transmembrane or non-transmembrane domain. Furthermore, a 14081 family member can include at least one, preferably two protein kinase C phosphorylation sites (Prosite PS00005); at least one, two, and preferably three casein kinase II phosphorylation sites (Prosite PS00006); at least one, preferably two N-glycosylation sites (Prosite PS00001); and at least one, two, three, and preferably four N-myristoylation sites (Prosite PS00008).

As the 14081 polypeptides of the invention can modulate 14081-mediated activities, they can be useful for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents for trypsin-like serine protease-associated or other 14081-associated disorders, as described below.

As used herein, a “serine protease-associated activity” includes an activity which involves “trypsin-like serine protease activity,” which degrade proteins with varying specificity. Members of this family can play a role in diseases involving biological activities such as digestion formation and dissolution of blood clots, reproduction, cell growth, and the immune reaction to foreign cells and organisms. Such diseases include cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, restenosis, deep vein thrombosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation caused by trauma, reperfusion damage, sepsis or tumor metastasis, hemodialysis, cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, atherectomy, arterial stent placement, adult respiratory distress syndrome, edotoxic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, induration, metastasis, hypercoagulability during chemotherapy, adult respiratory distress syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Down's syndrome, inflammation such as edema, pancreatitis, and cancer.

As used herein, a “14081 activity”, “biological activity of 14081” or “functional activity of 14081”, refers to an activity exerted by a 14081 protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule on e.g., a 14081-responsive cell or on a 14081 substrate, e.g., a protein substrate, as determined in vivo or in vitro. In one embodiment, a 14081 activity is a direct activity, such as an association with a 14081 target molecule. A “target molecule” or “binding partner” is a molecule with which a 14081 protein binds or interacts in nature. In an exemplary embodiment, 14081 is a receptor (or transporter or protease), e.g., a trypsin-like protease, and thus binds to or interacts in nature with a molecule(or protein substrate), e.g., an organic ion.(or signal peptide).

In an exemplary embodiment, 14081 is an enzyme for a protein or polypeptide substrate.

A 14081 activity can also be an indirect activity, e.g., a cellular signaling activity mediated by interaction of the 14081 protein with a 14081 receptor. Based on the above-described sequence structures and similarities to molecules of known function, the 14081 molecules of the present invention can have similar biological activities as trypsin-like serine protease family members. For example, the 14081 proteins of the present invention can have one or more of the following activities: (1) the ability to degrade proteins; and (2) the ability to phosphorylate carbohydrates. The ability to degrade proteins is based on the ability to bind, hydrolyze, and release a protein. The catalytic mechanism of serine proteases has been studies extensively. In general, to bind a molecule, the serine protease binds a protein substrate to form a Michaelis complex and the Ser residue nucleophilically attacks the scisslile peptide's carbonyl group to form a tetrahedral intermediate, wherein the Asp remains a carboxylate ion. The tetrahydral intermediate has a well defined, although transient existence. During the hydrolysis step, the tetrahedral intermediate decomposes to an acyl-enzyme intermediate under the driving force of proton domation from the His. The amine leaving group is released from the enzyme and replace by water from the solvent. The acyl-enzyme intermediate is extremely unstable to gydrolytic cleavage because of the enzyme's catalytic properties. Next, a deacylation step proceeds largely through the reversal of the previous steps with the release of the carboylate product (the new C-terminal portion of the cleaved polypeptide chain) and the concomitant regeneration of the enzyme.

The 14081 molecules of the invention can modulate the activities of cells in tissues where they are expressed. For example, TaqMan anysis shows that 14081 mRNA is expressed in hemangioma, kidney, pituitary, spinal cord, prostate tumor, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, hypothalamus, normal breast, bone marrow megakaryocytes, isolated CD61+ cells, brain cortex, tonsil, and platelets from patients with ischemic heart disease. Accordingly, the 14081 molecules of the invention can act as therapeutic or diagnostic agents for renal, hormonal, endocrine, neurological, hyperprolifereative, reproductive, breast, hematological and inflammatory disorders.

As a preferred embodiment, the 14081 molecules can be used to treat coagulation-related disorders in part because the 14081 mRNA is expressed in the platelets of patients with ischemic heart disease. In addition, 14081 levels are increased in samples from patients with coronary artery disease. Thus, the 14081 molecules can act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for controlling one or more coagulation or other serine protease or trypsin-like serine protease disorders. As used herein, “serine protease disorders” or “trypsin-like serine protease disorders” are diseases or disorders whose pathogenesis is caused by, is related to, or is associated with aberrant or deficient serine protease or trypsin-like serine protease protein function or expression. Examples of such disorders, e.g., trypsin-like serine protease-associated or other 14081-associated disorders, include but are not limited to, cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders, disorders associated with metabolism (e.g., hormonal), immune e.g., inflammatory, disorders. cardiovascular disorders, endothelial cell disorders, renal disorders, neurological disorders, hyperprolifereative disorders, reproductive disorders, breast disorders, and hematological disorders.

The 14081 molecules can be used to treat cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders in part because trypsin-like serine protease family members are found in the prostate tumors. Examples of cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders include cancer, e.g., carcinoma, sarcoma, metastatic disorders or hematopoietic neoplastic disorders, e.g., leukemias. A metastatic tumor can arise from a multitude of primary tumor types, including but not limited to those of prostate, colon, lung, breast and liver origin.

The 14081 molecules can be used to treat immune disorders in part because trypsin-like serine protease family members are found in the bone marrow megakaryocytes, CD61+ cells, and platelets. More particularly, the 14081 nucleic acid and protein of the invention can be used to treat and/or diagnose a variety of immune, e.g., inflammatory, (e.g. respiratory inflammatory) disorders, as described herein.

The 14081 molecules can be used to treat cardiovascular disorders in part because trypsin-like serine protease family members are found in the platelets and participate in platelet activation and thrombus formation. In addition, 14081 levels are increased in samples from patients with coronary artery disease. 14081 may cleave and activate-channels regulating platelet function. Antagonizing 14081 will block platelet activation.

The 14081 molecules can be used to treat endothelial cell disorders in part because trypsin-like serine protease family members are found in the human umbilical endothelial cells.

The 14081 molecules can be used to treat metabolic disorders in part because trypsin-like serine protease family members are found in the pituitary gland. 14081 can play an important role in the regulation of metabolism or pain disorders.

Human 32140

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a novel human aldehyde dehydrogenase, referred to herein as “32140”.

The human 32140 sequence (SEQ ID NO:25), which is approximately 7220 nucleotides long including untranslated regions, contains a predicted methionine-initiated coding sequence of about 2769 nucleotides (nucleotides 129–2897 of SEQ ID NO:25; nucleotides 1–2769 of SEQ ID NO:27), not including the terminal codon. The coding sequence encodes a 923 amino acid protein (SEQ ID NO:26).

Human 32140 contains the following regions: a predicted aldehyde dehydrogenase domain (PFAM Accession PF00171) located at about amino acid residues 450–923 of SEQ ID NO:26, and a predicted formyl transferase (PFAM Accession PF00551) located at about amino acid residues 23–202 of SEQ ID NO:26.

The 32140 protein also includes the following domains: a “10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase domain” at about amino acid residues 265–336 of SEQ ID NO:26, and a “formyltransferase/methyltransferase domain” at about amino acid residues 211–328 of SEQ ID NO:26.

For general information regarding PFAM identifiers, PS prefix and PF prefix domain identification numbers, refer to Sonnhammer et al. (1997) Protein 28:405–420.

A plasmid containing the nucleotide sequence encoding human 32140 was deposited with American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, on Jun. 1, 2001 and assigned Accession Number PTA-3424. This deposit will be maintained under the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. This deposit was made merely as a convenience for those of skill in the art and is not an admission that a deposit is required under 35 U.S.C. §112.

The 32140 protein contains a significant number of structural characteristics in common with members of the aldehyde dehydrogenase family. As used herein, the term “aldehyde dehydrogenase” refers to a protein or polypeptide which is capable of catalyzing an aldehyde oxidation reaction. Aldehyde dehydrogenases can have a specificity for various aldehyde precursors. An aldehyde dehydrogenase polypeptide typically includes a region of sequence similarity that comprises both the NAD⁺/NADP binding site and the enzyme active site (Vasiliou et al., (1999) Pharmacogenetics 9:421–434). This region of sequence similarity is located at about amino acids 669–728 of SEQ ID NO:26. The 32140 polypeptide exhibits sequence identity with the aldehyde dehydrogenase family at four key amino acid residues that have been shown to be important for aldehyde dehydrogenase function, including a glutamate involved in catalytic activity (amino acid 694 of SEQ ID NO:26), a cysteine involved in substrate binding (amino acid 728 of SEQ ID NO:26), and two glycines involved in NAD⁺ or NADP binding (amino acids 671 and 676 of SEQ ID NO:26).

Typically, aldehyde dehydrogenases play a role in a wide variety of cellular processes. For example, the metabolism of many amino acids, fatty acids, and glycerolipids, as well as ascorbate, aldarate, butanoate, pyruvate, propanoate, and 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA), involves specific oxidation reactions catalyzed by aldehyde dehydrogenases. Aldehyde dehydrogenases also participate in retinoid signaling, catalyzing the oxidation of retinal (which is required for vision) to retinoic acid (which plays an important role as a signaling molecule in embryonic differentiation) (reviewed by Duester, in Enzymology and Molecular Biology of Carbonyl Metabolism, Keuwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 1989). Thus, the molecules of the present invention may be involved in one or more of: 1) the oxidation of an aldehyde; 2) the modulation of amino acid metabolism; 3) the modulation of fatty acid or glycerophospholipid metabolism; 4) the modulation of retinoic acid signaling; 5) the modulation of cell differentiation; 6) the modulation of vision; 7) the modulation of 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism; 8) the modulation of the metabolism of drugs or environmental agents; 9) the modulation of alcohol metabolism;10) the modulation of tumor cell growth and invasion; or 11) the modulation of vitamin metabolism.

A 32140 polypeptide can include an “aldehyde dehydrogenase domain” or regions homologous with an “aldehyde dehydrogenase domain”. As used herein, the term “aldehyde dehydrogenase domain” includes an amino acid sequence of about 80–300 amino acid residues in length and having a bit score for the alignment of the sequence to the aldehyde dehydrogenase domain (HMM) of at least 8. Preferably, an aldehyde dehydrogenase domain includes at least about 100–250 amino acids, more preferably about 130–200 amino acid residues, or about 160–200 amino acids and has a bit score for the alignment of the sequence to the aldehyde dehydrogenase domain (HMM) of at least 16 or greater. The aldehyde dehydrogenase domain (HMM) has been assigned the PFAM Accession PF00171. The aldehyde dehydrogenase domain (amino acids 450–923 of SEQ ID NO:26) of human 32140 aligns with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a hidden Markov model (SEQ ID NO:28).

In a preferred embodiment, 32140 polypeptide or protein has a “aldehyde dehydrogenase domain” or a region which includes at least about 100–250 more preferably about 130–200 or 160–200 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% homology with an “aldehyde dehydrogenase domain,” e.g., the aldehyde dehydrogenase domain of human 32140 (e.g., amino acid residues 450–923 of SEQ ID NO:26).

To identify the presence of an “aldehyde dehydrogenase” domain in a 32140 protein sequence, and make the determination that a polypeptide or protein of interest has a particular profile, the amino acid sequence of the protein can be searched against a database of HMMs (e.g., the Pfam database, release 2.1) using the default parameters. For example, the hmmsf program, which is available as part of the HMMER package of search programs, is a family specific default program for MILPAT0063 and a score of 15 is the default threshold score for determining a hit. Alternatively, the threshold score for determining a hit can be lowered (e.g., to 8 bits). A description of the Pfam database can be found in Sonhammer et al., (1997) Proteins 28(3):405–420 and a detailed description of HMMs can be found, for example, in Gribskov et al., (1990) Meth. Enzymol. 183:146–159; Gribskov et al., (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:4355–4358; Krogh et al., (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 235:1501–1531; and Stultz et al., (1993) Protein Sci. 2:305–314, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As the 32140 polypeptides of the invention may modulate 32140-mediated activities, they may be useful for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents for 32140-mediated or related disorders, as described below.

As used herein, a “32140 activity”, “biological activity of 32140” or “functional activity of 32140”, refers to an activity exerted by a 32140 protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule on e.g., a 32140-responsive cell or on a 32140 substrate, e.g., a lipid or protein substrate, as determined in vivo or in vitro. In one embodiment, a 32140 activity is a direct activity, such as an association with a 32140 target molecule. A “target molecule” or “binding partner” is a molecule with which a 32140 protein binds or interacts in nature, e.g., an aldehyde, which the 32140 protein oxidizes. A 32140 activity can also be an indirect activity, e.g., a cellular signaling activity mediated by interaction of the 32140 protein with a 32140 ligand. For example, the 32140 proteins of the present invention can have one or more of the following activities: 1) the oxidation of an aldehyde; 2) the modulation of amino acid metabolism; 3) the modulation of fatty acid or glycerophospholipid metabolism; 4) the modulation of retionic acid signaling; 5) the modulation of cell differentiation; 6) the modulation of vision; 7) the modulation of 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism; 8) the modulation of the metabolism of drugs or environmental agents; 9) the modulation of alcohol metabolism;10) the modulation of tumor cell growth and invasion; or 11) the modulation of vitamin metabolism. 12) the ability to antagonize or inhibit, competitively or non-competitively, any of 1–11.

Accordingly, 32140 protein may mediate various disorders, including cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders, lung disorders, liver disorders, brain disorders, heart disorders, kidney disorders, breast disorders, and testis disorders.

The 32140 nucleic acid and protein of the invention can be used to treat and/or diagnose a variety of proliferative disorders.

The 32140 gene appears to have an important role in viral pathogenesis. In particular, Herpes Simples Virus (HSV) induces expression of the novel 10-formyltetrahydrofolate DH encoded by the gene 32140, particularly in infected neurons. Viral panels have shown that 32140 is induced in HSV-infected mouse ganglia both during active and latent phases. It is induced up to 5-fold in HSV-infected neuroblastoma (Ntera2). 32140 appears to be a 10-formyltetrahydrofolate DH isozyme which is expressed in different tissues (e.g. neuronal tissues) compared to the known 10-formyltetrahydrofolate DH. The 32140 aldehyde dehydrogenase is therfore an important host gene for HSV infection and finds use in the treatment of disorders resulting from Herpes Simples Virus (HSV) and hepatitis B infection. Also, gene 32140 is induced during infection by HSV, but not infection with other viruses such as VZV, HBV, and HCV.

Gene Expression Analysis of 32140

TaqMan analysis shows 32140 was expressed in different cells: normal or uninfected liver; uninfected ganglia and ganglia infected with Herpes Simplex Virus; a time course of HSV (strain 17+) infection of human Ntera2 neuroblastoma cells (times are 0, 2.5, 5, and 7 hours post-infection); same infection experiment using HSV strain KOS; a time course of Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) infected human MRC5 (lung fibroblast cells) (times are 0, 18 and 72 hours post-infection); and Ntera2 cells infected with an adenovirus that expresses the HSV ICPO transcription factor.

TaqMan analysis also shows 32140 was expressed in different tissues: “normal” liver, lung and kidney tissue; uninfected ganglia and ganglia infected with Herpes Simplex Virus; HSV (strain 17+) infection of human Ntera2 neuroblastoma cells (times are 0, 2.5, 5, and 7 hours post-infection); a time course of Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) infected human MRC5 (lung fibroblast cells) (times are 0, 18 and 72 hours post-infection); Ntera2 cells infected with an adenovirus that expresses the HSV ICPO transcription factor; hepatitis B virus (HBV) expressing HepG2.2.15 cells compared to the parental HepG2 cell control; and HBV-infected and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected liver samples.

Gene 32140 is highly expressed in salivary glands and testes, more moderately expressed in brain, small intestine, stomach, spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia, and it is expressed at lower levels in the other tissues indicated.

Human 50352

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a novel ubiquitin-protein ligase family member, referred to herein as “50352”.

The human 50352 sequence (SEQ ID NO:29), which is approximately 3513 nucleotides long including untranslated regions, contains a predicted methionine-initiated coding sequence of about 3066 nucleotides, not including the termination codon (nucleotides 82–3147 of SEQ ID NO:29; 1–3066 of SEQ ID NO:31). The coding sequence encodes a 1022 amino acid protein (SEQ ID NO:30).

Human 50352 contains the following regions or other structural features (for general information regarding PFAM identifiers, PS prefix and PF prefix domain identification numbers, refer to Sonnhammer et al. (1997) Protein 28:405–420:

One, two, three, preferably four and most preferably five or more regulator of chromosome condensation domain(s) (PFAM Accession Number PF00415; SEQ ID NO:32) located at about amino acid residues 43 to 92, from about residues 93 to 145, from about residues 146 to 198, from about residues 200 to 253 and from about residues 254 to 304 of SEQ ID NO:30; a homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain (PFAM Accession Number PF00632; SEQ ID NO:33) located at about amino acid residues 726 to 1015 of SEQ ID NO:30; a conjugation ubiquitin cyclin KIAA0032 binding CG9153 cyclin E domain (ProDom Accession Number PD136613) located at about amino acids 374 to 645 of SEQ ID NO:30; a ligase ubiquitin conjugation ubiquitin-protein 6.3.2 domain (ProDom Accession Number PD255820) located at about amino acids 758 to 811 of SEQ ID NO:30; a ligase ubiquitin conjugation 6.3.2 domain (ProDom Accession Number PD002225) located at about amino acids 836 to 1013 of SEQ ID NO:30; fourteen protein kinase C phosphorylation sites (Prosite PS00005) located at about amino acids 118 to 120, 216 to 218, 224 to 226, 319 to 321, 368 to 370, 443 to 445, 448 to 450, 647 to 649, 669 to 671, 801 to 803, 850 to 852, 867 to 869, 951 to 953, and 975 to 977 of SEQ ID NO:30; twenty five casein kinase II phosphorylation sites (Prosite PS00006) located at about amino acids 46 to 49, 124 to 127, 242 to 245, 259 to 262, 290 to 293, 323 to 326, 339 to 342, 362 to 365, 375 to 378, 385 to 388, 398 to 401, 431 to 434, 448 to 451, 459 to 462, 550 to 553, 690 to 693, 729 to 732, 793 to 796, 807 to 810, 904 to 907, 915 to 918, 939 to 942, 951 to 954, 973 to 976, and 995 to 998 of SEQ ID NO:30; four cAMP/cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation sites (Prosite PS00004) located at about amino acids 14 to 17, 394 to 397, 424 to 427, and 445 to 448 of SEQ ID NO:30; two N-glycosylation sites (Prosite PS00001) located at about amino acids 263 to 266 and 865 to 868 of SEQ ID NO:30; thirteen N-myristoylation sites (Prosite PS00008) located at about amino acids 19 to 24, 59 to 64, 180 to 185, 189 to 194, 200 to 205, 206 to 211, 231 to 236, 295 to 300, 307 to 312, 354 to 359, 426 to 431, 714 to 719, and 762 to 767 of SEQ ID NO:30; one tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site (Prosite PS00007) located at about amino acids 750 to 758 of SEQ ID NO:30; one amidation site (Prosite PS00009) located at about amino acids 55 to 58 of SEQ ID NO:30; and one, two, three, preferably four and most preferably five regulator of chromosome condensation signature 2 domain(s) (Prosite PS00626) located at about amino acids 28 to 38, 80 to 90, 133 to 143, 186 to 196, and 241 to 251 of SEQ ID NO:30.

A hydropathy plot of human 50352 was performed. Polypeptides of the invention include fragments which include: all or part of a hydrophobic sequence, e.g., the sequence from about amino acid 71 to 81, from about 411 to 421, from about 475 to 490, from about 500 to 510, from about 532 to 544, from about 615 to 631, from about 695 to 705, and from about 761 to 772 of SEQ ID NO:30; all or part of a hydrophilic sequence, e.g., the sequence from about amino acid 5 to 20, from about 48 to 63, from about 261 to 280, from about 312 to 325, from about 392 to 403, from about 439 to 451, from about 551 to 560, from about 660 to 670, from about 749 to 757, from about 851 to 861, and from about 903 to 928 of SEQ ID NO:30; a sequence which includes a Cys, or a glycosylation site.

The 50352 protein contains a significant number of structural characteristics in common with members of the ubiquitin-protein ligase family.

As used herein, the term “ubiquitin-protein ligase” includes a protein or polypeptide which is capable of conjugating ubiquitin molecules to either substrates or to ubiquitin moieties bound to substrates deemed for degradation. Ubiquitin-protein ligases are responsible for the third and final step of ubiquitin conjugation, they accept ubiquitin from an E2 ubiquitin-conjugated enzyme in the form of a thioester and then transfer the ubiquitin to a target protein by forming an isopeptide bond between glycine residues of ubiquitin and an alpha amino group of a lysine residue of the substrate or of a previously conjugated ubiquitin. Ubiquitin-protein ligases are also responsible in determining the specificity of ubiquitination. Members of the ubiquitin-protein ligase family of proteins share a region of similarity known as the homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain. This domain is composed of approximately 350 amino acids and it has a conserved cysteine residue located in the last 32 to 46 amino acids which is necessary for the ubiquitin thioester formation.

In one embodiment of the invention, a 50352 polypeptide includes at least one, two, three, preferably four and most preferably five or more regulator of chromosome condensation domain.

In another embodiment of the invention, a 50352 polypeptide includes at least one “homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus” domain.

A 50352 polypeptide can include a “homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain” or regions homologous with a “homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain”. A 50352 polypeptide can further include one, two, three, preferably four, and most preferably five or more “regulator of chromosome condensation domain(s)” or regions homologous with a “regulator of chromosome condensation domain”.

As used herein, the term “homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain” includes an amino acid sequence of about 250 to 350 amino acid residues in length and having a bit score for the alignment of the sequence to the homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain (HMM) of at least 110.9. Preferably a homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain mediates ubiquitin conjugation and specificity of ubiquitin conjugation to substrates or ubiquitin moieties bound to substrates. Preferably, a homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain includes at least about 200 to 400 amino acids, more preferably about 225 to 375 amino acid residues, or about 250 to 350 amino acids and has a bit score for the alignment of the sequence to the homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain (HMM) of at least 80, 90, 100, 110 or greater.

In a preferred embodiment, a 50352 polypeptide or protein has a “homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain” or a region which includes at least about 200 to 400 more preferably about 225 to 375 or 250 to 350 amino acid residuesland has at least about 60%, 70% 80% 90% 95%, 99%, or 100% homology with a “homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain,” eg., the homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain of human 50352 (e.g., residues 726 to 1015 of SEQ ID NO:30).

To identify the presence of a “homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain” in a 50352 protein sequence, and make the determination that a polypeptide or protein of interest has a particular profile, the amino acid sequence of the protein can be searched against the Pfam database of HMMs (e.g., the Pfam database, release 2.1) using the default parameters. For example, the hmmsf program, which is available as part of the HMMER package of search programs, is a family specific default program for MILPAT0063 and a score of 15 is the default threshold score for determining a hit. Alternatively, the threshold score for determining a hit can be lowered (e.g., to 8 bits). A description of the Pfam database can be found in Sonhammer et al. (1997) Proteins 28:405–420 and a detailed description of HMMs can be found, for example, in Gribskov et al. (1990) Meth. Enzymol. 183:146–159; Gribskov et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:4355–4358; Krogh et al. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 235:1501–1531; and Stultz et al. (1993) Protein Sci. 2:305–314, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. A search was performed against the HMM database resulting in the identification of a “homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain” in the amino acid sequence of human 50352 at about residues 726 to 1015 of SEQ ID NO:30.

A 50352 molecule can further include one, two, three, preferably four, and most preferably five or more “regulator of chromosome condensation domain(s)”. As used herein, the term “regulator of chromosome condensation domain” includes amino acid sequence(s) of about 40 to 60 amino acid residues in length and having a bit score for the alignment of the sequence to the regulator of chromosome condensation domain (HMM) of at least 30. Preferably, regulator of chromosome condensation domain(s) include at least about 20 to 80 amino acids, more preferably about 30 to 70 amino acid residues, or about 40 to 60 amino acids and have a bit scores for the alignment of the sequences to the regulator of chromosome condensation domain(s) (HMM) of at least 5, 10, 20, 30 or greater.

Regulator of chromosome condensation domains typically contain a conserved regulator of chromosome condensation signature 2 (RCC1_(—)2) pattern which participates in the catalytic mechanism. The conserved RCC1_(—)2 pattern is as follows: [LIVMFA]-[STAGC](2)-G-X(2)-H-[STAGLI]-[LIVMFA]-X-[LIVM] (SEQ ID NO:34).

In the above conserved signature sequence, and other motifs or signature sequences described herein, the standard IUPAC one-letter code for the amino acids is used. Each element in the pattern is separated by a dash (-); square brackets ([ ]) indicate the particular residues that are accepted at that position; x indicates that any residue is accepted at that position; and numbers in parentheses (( )) indicate the number of residues represented by the accompanying amino acid.

A 50352 protein contains one, two, three, preferably four, and most preferably five or greater RCC1_(—)2 pattern(s) at about amino acid residues 28 to 38, 80 to 90, 133 to 143, 186 to 196, and 241 to 251 of SEQ ID NO:30.

In a preferred embodiment, a 50352 polypeptide or protein has one, two, three, preferably four, and most preferably five or greater “regulator of chromosome condensation domain(s)” or one, two, three, preferably four and most preferably five or more region(s) which includes at least about 20 to 80 more preferably about 30 to 40 or 40 to 60 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70% 80% 90% 95%, 99%, or 100% homology with a “regulator of chromosome condensation domain,” e.g., the regulator of chromosome condensation domain of human 50352 (e.g., residues 43 to 92, 93 to 145, 146 to 198, 200 to 253, and 254 to 304 of SEQ ID NO:30).

To identify the presence of a “regulator of chromosome condensation domain” in a 50352 protein sequence, and make the determination that a polypeptide or protein of interest has a particular profile, the amino acid sequence of the protein can be searched against the Pfam database of HMMs (e.g., the Pfam database, release 2.1) using the default parameters. For example, the hmmsf program, which is available as part of the HMMER package of search programs, is a family specific default program for MILPAT0063 and a score of 15 is the default threshold score for determining a hit. Alternatively, the threshold score for determining a hit can be lowered (e.g., to 8 bits). A description of the Pfam database can be found in Sonhammer et al. (1997) Proteins 28:405–420 and a detailed description of HMMs can be found, for example, in Gribskov et al. (1990) Meth. Enzymol. 183:146–159; Gribskov et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:4355–4358; Krogh et al. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 235:1501–1531; and Stultz et al. (1993) Protein Sci. 2:305–314, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. A search was performed against the HMM database resulting in the identification of five “regulator of chromosome condensation domains” in the amino acid sequence of human 50352 at about residues 43 to 92, 93 to 145, 146 to 198, 200 to 253, and 254 to 304 of SEQ ID NO:30.

For further identification of domains, and make the determination that a polypeptide or protein of interest has a particular profile, the amino acid sequence of the protein can be searched against a database of domains, e.g., the ProDom database (Corpet et al. (1999), Nucl. Acids Res. 27:263–267). The ProDom protein domain database consists of an automatic compilation of homologous domains. Current versions of ProDom are built using recursive PSI-BLAST searches (Altschul et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389–3402; Gouzy et al. (1999) Computers and Chemistry 23:333–340) of the SWISS-PROT 38 and TREMBL protein databases. The database automatically generates a consensus sequence for each domain. A BLAST search was performed against the HMM database resulting in the identification of a “conjugation ubiquitin cyclin KIAA0032 binding CG9153 cyclin E” domain in the amino acid sequence of human 50352 at about residues 374 to 645 of SEQ ID NO:30, and two “ligase ubiquitin conjugation ubiquitin-protein 6.3.2” domains in the amino acid sequence of human 50352 at about residues 758 to 811 and 836 to 1013 of SEQ ID NO:30.

A 50352 family member can include at least one homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus domain and at least one, two, three, preferably four, and most preferably five or greater regulator of chromosome condensation domain(s). Furthermore, a 50352 family member can include at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, and preferably fourteen protein kinase C phosphorylation sites (Prosite PS00005); at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty one, twenty two, twenty three, twenty four, and preferably twenty five casein kinase II phosphorylation sites (Prosite PS00006); at least one, preferably two N-glycosylation sites (Prosite PS00001); at least one, two, three, and preferably four cAMP/cGMP protein kinase phosphorylation sites (Prosite PS00004); at least one tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site (Prosite PS00007); at least one amidation site (Prosite PS00009); at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, and preferably thirteen N-myristoylation sites (Prosite PS00008); at least one conjugation ubiquitin cyclin KIAA0032 binding CG9153 cyclin E domain (ProDom Accession Number PD136613); at least one ligase ubiquitin conjugation ubiquitin-protein 6.3.2 domain (ProDom Accession Number PD255820); and at least one ligase ubiquitin conjugation 6.3.2 domain (ProDom Accession Number PD002225).

As the 50352 polypeptides of the invention can modulate 50352-mediated activities, they can be useful for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents for ubiquitin-protein ligase-associated or other 50352-associated disorders, as described below.

Ubiquitin mediated intracellular proteolysis is essential for cell viability. Abnormalities within the ubiquitin pathway, either with ubiquitin-protein ligases or with de-ubiquitinating enzymes, cause problems with substrate recognition or supply of free ubiquitin, respectively. Such abnormalities can lead to or contribute to disease pathogenesis, such as human neurodegenerative diseases. Layfield et al., (2001) Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 27(3):171–179.

As used herein, a “ubiquitin-protein ligase-mediated activity” includes an activity which involves the addition of ubiquitin to either substrates or ubiquitin moieties bound to substrates. This activity involves both the recognition of substrate specificity as well as the creation of an isopeptide bond between glycine residues of ubiquitin and an alpha amino group of a lysine residue of the substrate or of a previously conjugated ubiquitin. Therefore, these enzymes are responsible for recognizing proteins which need to undergo intracellular proteolysis as well as for the attachment of ubiquitin molecules to such proteins deemed for degradation.

As used herein, a “50352 activity”, “biological activity of 50352” or “functional activity of 50352”, refers to an activity exerted by a 50352 protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule on e.g., a 50352-responsive cell or on a 50352 substrate, e.g., a protein substrate, as determined in vivo or in vitro. In one embodiment, a 50352 activity is a direct activity, such as an association with a 50352 target molecule. A “target molecule” or “binding partner” is a molecule with which a 50352 protein binds or interacts in nature. A 50352 activity can also be an indirect activity, e.g., a cellular signaling activity mediated by interaction of the 50352 protein with a 50352 receptor.

Based on the above-described sequence structures and similarities to molecules of known function, the 50352 molecules of the present invention can have similar biological activities as ubiquitin-protein ligase family members. For example, the 50352 proteins of the present invention can have one or more of the following activities: (1) the ability to modulate ubiquitination of a substrate, e.g., a protein targeted for degradation; (2) the ability to modulate substrate specificity for ubiquitination; (3) the ability to modulate cellular proliferation and/or differentiation; (4) the ability to modulate apoptosis; (5) the ability to modulate transcription and/or cell-cycle progression; (6) the ability to modulate signal-transduction; (7) the ability to modulate antigen processing; (8) the ability to modulate cell-cell adhesion; (9) the ability to modulate receptor-mediated endocytosis; (10) the ability to modulate organelle biogenesis and development; (11) the ability to modulate neuropathological conditions; (12) the ability to modulate oncogenesis, and (13) the ability to modulate protein levels, e.g., cellular protein levels.

The 50352 molecules of the invention can modulate the activities of cells in tissues where they are expressed. For example, 50352 mRNA is expressed in human umbilical vain endothelial cells, in human normal brain cortex, in human colon tumors and in human lung tumors. Accordingly, the 50352 molecules of the invention can act as therapeutic or diagnostic agents for cardiovascular, colon, lung and neurological disorders.

Thus, the 50352 molecules can act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for controlling one or more ubiquitin-protein ligase-associated or other 50352-associated disorders. As used herein, “ubiquitin-protein ligase disorders” are diseases or disorders whose pathogenesis is caused by, is related to, or is associated with aberrant or deficient ubiquitin-protein ligase function or expression. The 50352 molecules can be used to treat neurological disorders in part because the 50352 mRNA is expressed in the brain.

The 50352 molecules can also be used to treat cardiovascular disorders in part because the 50352 mRNA is expressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

The 50352 molecules can also be used to treat colon disorders in part because the 50352 mRNA is expressed in human colon tumors.

The 50352 molecules can also be used to treat lung disorders in part because the 50352 mRNA is expressed in human lung tumors.

The 50352 molecules and modulators thereof can act as novel therapeutic agents for controlling one or more of cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders, hormonal disorders, immune and inflammatory disorders, neurological disorders, blood vessel disorders, platelet disorders, cardiovascular disorders, endothelial cell disorders, liver disorders, viral diseases, pain or metabolic disorders.

Isolation of 50352

Total RNA was prepared from various human tissues by a single step extraction method using RNA STAT-60 according to the manufacturer's instructions (TelTest, Inc). Each RNA preparation was treated with DNase I (Ambion) at 37° C. for 1 hour. DNAse I treatment was determined to be complete if the sample required at least 38 PCR amplification cycles to reach a threshold level of fluorescence using β-2 microglobulin as an internal amplicon reference. The integrity of the RNA samples following DNase I treatment was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining. After phenol extraction cDNA was prepared from the sample using the SUPERSCRIPT™ Choice System following the manufacturer's instructions (GibcoBRL). A negative control of RNA without reverse transcriptase was mock reverse transcribed for each RNA sample.

Gene Expression of 50352

TaqMan analysis results indicate significant 50352 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, in normal human brain cortex, in lung tumors and in colon tumors.

Human 16658

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a novel human kinase, referred to herein as “16658”.

The human 16658 sequence (SEQ ID NO:35), which is approximately 3633 nucleotides long including untranslated regions, contains a predicted methionine-initiated coding sequence of about 3390 nucleotides (nucleotides 23–3412 of SEQ ID NO:35; 1–3390 of SEQ ID NO:37), not including the terminal codon. The coding sequence encodes a 1130 amino acid protein (SEQ ID NO:36).

This mature protein form is approximately 1130 amino acid residues in length (from about amino acid 1 to amino acid 1130 of SEQ ID NO:36). Human 16658 contains the following regions or other structural features: a predicted kinase domain located at about amino acid residues 725–1021 of SEQ ID NO:36; and predicted transmembrane domains which extend from about amino acids 103–119 and 642–665 of SEQ ID NO:36. A hydropathy plot of human 16658 was performed. Polypeptides of the invention include fragments which include: all or part of a hydrophobic sequence, e.g., the sequence from about amino acid 100 to 120, from about 280 to 290, and from about 985 to 650 of SEQ ID NO:36; all or part of a hydrophilic sequence, the sequence from about amino acid 50 to 80, from about 620 to 640, and from about 680 to 690 of SEQ ID NO:36; a sequence which includes a Cys, or a glycosylation site.

The mature human 16658 protein contains the following structural features: two predicted transmembrane domains located at about amino acids 103–119 and 642–665 of SEQ ID. NO:36. Predicted transmembrane domains extend from about amino acid 103 (cytoplasmic end) to about amino acid 119 (extracellular end) of SEQ ID NO:36; and from about amino acid 642 (extracellular end) to about amino acid 665 (cytoplasmic end); one extracellular loop found at about amino acid 120–641 of SEQ ID NO:36; one N-terminal cytoplasmic domain is found at about amino acid residues 1–102 of SEQ ID NO:36; and a C-terminal cytoplasmic domain is found at about amino acid residues 666–1130 of SEQ ID NO:36.

The 16658 protein also includes the following domains: four N-glycosylation sites (PS00001) located at about amino acids 437–440, 491–494, 504–507, and 850–853 of SEQ ID NO:36; one cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation site (PS00004) located at about amino acids 945–948 of SEQ ID NO:36; sixteen predicted protein kinase C phosphorylation sites (PS00005) located at about amino acids 40–42, 83–85, 201–203, 214–216, 293–295, 304–306, 339–341, 521–523, 586–588, 621–623, 666–668, 741–743, 758–760, 794–796, 1066–1068, and 1115–1117 of SEQ ID NO:36; twenty-seven predicted casein kinase II phosphorylation sites (PS00006) located at about amino 19–22, 83–86, 155–158, 201–204, 214–217, 240–243, 252–255, 322–325, 333–336, 361–364, 396–399, 471–474, 532–535, 628–631, 699–702, 705–708, 937–940, 949–952, 965–968, 975–978, 982–985, 1022–1025, 1036–1039, 1047–1050, 1059–1062, 1082–1085, and 1091–1094 of SEQ ID NO:36; three predicted tyrosine kinase phosphorylation sites (PS00007) located at about amino acids 577–584, 698–706, and 881–888 of SEQ ID NO:36; eleven predicted N-myristoylation sites (PS00008) located at about amino acids 47–52, 286–291, 368–373, 383–388, 467–472, 488–493, 598–603, 851–856, 871–876, 994–999, and 1070–1075 of SEQ ID NO:36; two predicted amidation site (PS00009) located at about amino acids 452–455 and 747–750 of SEQ ID NO:36; one predicted protein kinases ATP-binding region signature site (PS00107) located at about amino acids 731–739 of SEQ ID NO:36; one tyrosine protein kinase specific active-site sign (PS00109) located at about amino acids 888–900 of SEQ ID NO:36; and one receptor tyrosine kinase class V signature 1 site (PS00790) located at about amino acids 286–302 of SEQ ID NO:36.

For general information regarding PFAM identifiers, PS prefix and PF prefix domain identification numbers, refer to Sonnhammer et al. (1997) Protein 28:405–420. The ephrin receptor ligand binding domain of human 16658 (amino acids 128 to 301 of SEQ ID NO:36) aligns with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a hidden Markov model (HMM) from PFAM (SEQ ID NO:44).

The protein kinase domain of human 16658 (amino acids 725 to 1021 of SEQ ID NO:36) aligns with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a hidden Markov model (HMM) from PFAM (SEQ ID NO:45).

A BLAST alignment of human 16658 with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a ProDomain “receptor kinase tyrosine-protein ephrin precursor transferase ATP-binding phosphorylation type-A transmembrane” (Release 2001.1) shows amino acid residues 1 to 180 of the 181 amino acid consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO:46) aligns with the “receptor kinase tyrosine-protein ephrin precursor transferase ATP-binding phosphorylation type-A transmembrane” domain of human 16658, amino acid residues 128 to 301 of SEQ ID NO:36.

Another BLAST alignment of human 16658 with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a ProDomain “receptor kinase tyrosine-protein precursor ephrin transferase ATP-binding phosphorylation type-A transmembrane” (Release 2001.1) shows amino acid residues 1 to 127 of the 128 amino acid consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO:47) aligns with the “receptor kinase tyrosine-protein precursor ephrin transferase ATP-binding phosphorylation type-A transmembrane” domain of human 16658, amino acid residues 411 to 534 of SEQ ID NO:36.

Another BLAST alignment of human 16658 with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a ProDomain “receptor tyrosine-protein kinase transm precursor ephrin EHK-2 kinase-2 type-A phosphorylation” (Release 2001.1) shows amino acid residues 1 to 50 of the 50 amino acid consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO:48) aligns with the “receptor tyrosine-protein kinase transm precursor ephrin EHK-2 kinase-2 type-A phosphorylation” domain of human 16658, amino acid residues 790 to 839 of SEQ ID NO:36.

A BLAST alignment of human 16658 with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a ProDomain “receptor kinase tyrosine-protein precursor ephrin ATP-binding transferase phosphorylation type-A transmembrane” (Release 2001.1) shows amino acid residues 15 to 73 of the 74 amino acid consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO:49) aligns with the “receptor kinase tyrosine-protein precursor ephrin ATP-binding transferase phosphorylation type-A transmembrane” domain of human 16658, amino acid residues 354 to 410 of SEQ ID NO:36.

A BLAST alignment of human 16658 with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a ProDomain “kinase tyrosine-protein repeat janus domain phosphorylation ATP-binding SH2” (Release 2001.1) shows amino acid residues 1 to 178 of the 179 amino acid consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO:50), aligns with the “kinase tyrosine-protein repeat janus domain phosphorylation ATP-binding SH2e” domain of human 16658, amino acid residues 843 to 1017 of SEQ ID NO:36.

A BLAST alignment of human 16658 with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a ProDomain “receptor kinase tyrosine-protein precursor ephrin transferase ATP-binding phosphorylation transmembrane type-A” (Release 2001.1) shows amino acid residues 28 to 82 of the 83 amino acid consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO:51) aligns with the “receptor kinase tyrosine-protein precursor ephrin transferase ATP-binding phosphorylation transmembrane type-A” domain of human 16658, amino acid residues 668 to 723 of SEQ ID NO:36.

Human 14223

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a novel human kinase, referred to herein as “14223”.

The human 14223 sequence (SEQ ID NO:38), which is approximately 2466 nucleotides long including untranslated regions, contains a predicted methionine-initiated coding sequence of about 1542 nucleotides (nucleotides 437–1978 of SEQ ID NO:38; 1–1542 of SEQ ID NO:40), not including the terminal codon. The coding sequence encodes a 514 amino acid protein (SEQ ID NO:39).

This mature protein form is approximately 514 amino acid residues in length (from about amino acid 1 to amino acid 514 of SEQ ID NO:39). Human 14223 contains the following regions or other structural features: a predicted kinase domain located at about amino acid residues 116–381 of SEQ ID NO:39.

A hydropathy plot of human 14223 was performed. Polypeptides of the invention include fragments which include: all or part of a hydrophobic sequence, e.g., the sequence from about amino acid 220 to 230, from about 285 to 295, and from about 310 to 320 of SEQ ID NO:39; all or part of a hydrophilic sequence, e.g., the sequence from about amino acid 60 to 100, from about 205 to 215, and from about 400 to 460 of SEQ ID NO:39; a sequence which includes a Cys, or a glycosylation site.

The 14223 protein also includes the following domains: four N-glycosylation sites (PS00001) located at about amino acids 95–98, 213–216, 411–414, and 438–441 of SEQ ID NO:39; three cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation site (PS00004) located at about amino acids 8–11, 84–87, and 271–274 of SEQ ID NO:39; twelve predicted protein kinase C phosphorylation sites (PS00005) located at about amino acids 10–12, 20–22, 29–31, 70–72, 134–136, 169–171, 184–186, 371–373, 388–390, 459–461, 473–475, and 510–512 of SEQ ID NO:39; eighteen predicted casein kinase II phosphorylation sites (PS00006) located at about amino 4–7, 20–23, 71–74, 80–83, 134–137, 211–214, 249–252, 274–277, 296–299, 326–329, 349–352, 371–374, 407–410, 412–415, 420–423, 440–443, 450–453, and 459–462 of SEQ ID NO:39; two predicted N-myristoylation sites (PS00008) located at about amino acids 49–54 and 383–388 of SEQ ID NO:39; one predicted protein kinases ATP-binding region signature site (PS00107) located at about amino acids 122–130 of SEQ ID NO:39; one serine/threonine protein kinases active-site sign (PS00108) located at about amino acids 234–246 of SEQ ID NO:39.

For general information regarding PFAM identifiers, PS prefix and PF prefix domain identification numbers, refer to Sonnhammer et al. (1997) Protein 28:405–420.

The protein kinase domain of human 14223 (amino acids 116 to 381 of SEQ ID NO:39) aligns with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a hidden Markov model (HMM) from PFAM (SEQ ID NO:52).

A BLAST alignment of human 14223 with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a ProDomain “kinase serine/threonine-protein transferase receptor ATP-binding 2.7.1.—tyrosine-protein phosphorylation precursor” (Release 2001.1) shows that amino acid residues 254 to 301, 136 to 235, 51 to 184, 370 to 409, 6 to 85, and 344 to 370 of the 424 amino acid consensus sequence (SEQ ID NOs:53–58) align with the “kinase serine/threonine-protein transferase receptor ATP-binding 2.7.1.—tyrosine-protein phosphorylation precursor” domains of human 14223, found from amino acid residues 285 to 329, 199 to 286, 124 to 245, 293 to 323, 116 to 194, and 351 to 377 of SEQ ID NO:39.

A BLAST alignment of human 14223 with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a ProDomain “serine/threonine similar kinase kinases serine/threonine-protein” (Release 2001.1) shows that amino acid residues 353 to 514 and 90 to 230 of the 717 amino acid consensus sequence (SEQ ID NOs:59–60) align with the “serine/threonine similar kinase kinases serine/threonine-protein” domains of human 14223, found from amino acid residues 308 to 463 and 122 to 249 of SEQ ID NO:39.

Human 16002

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a novel human kinase, referred to herein as “16002”.

The human 16002 sequence (SEQ ID NO:41), which is approximately 2711 nucleotides long including untranslated regions, contains a predicted methionine-initiated coding sequence of about 1683 nucleotides (nucleotides 198–1880 of SEQ ID NO:41; 1–1683 of SEQ ID NO:43), not including the terminal codon. The coding sequence encodes a 561 amino acid protein (SEQ ID NO:42).

This mature protein form is approximately 561 amino acid residues in length (from about amino acid 1 to amino acid 561 of SEQ ID NO:42). Human 16002 contains the following regions or other structural features: a predicted kinase domain located at about amino acid residues 128–409 of SEQ ID NO:42; and a predicted transmembrane domain which extends from about amino acid residue 336–354 of SEQ ID NO:42.

The 16002 protein also includes the following domains: one N-glycosylation site (PS00001) located at about amino acids 147–150 of SEQ ID NO:42; three cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation site (PS00004) located at about amino acids 71–74, 105–108, and 455–458 of SEQ ID NO:42; six predicted protein kinase C phosphorylation sites (PS00005) located at about amino acids 58–60, 69–71, 100–102, 160–162, 330–332, and 437–439 of SEQ ID NO:42; eight predicted casein kinase II phosphorylation sites (PS00006) located at about amino 26–29, 74–77, 82–85, 117–120, 419–422, 425–428, 430–433, and 557–560 of SEQ ID NO:42; four predicted N-myristoylation sites (PS00008) located at about amino acids 178–183, 326–331, 515–520, and 525–530 of SEQ ID NO:42; one predicted ATP/GTP-binding site motif A (P-loop) (PS00017) located at about amino acids 485–492; one predicted protein kinases ATP-binding region signature site (PS00107) located at about amino acids 134–142 of SEQ ID NO:42; and one serine/threonine protein kinases active-site sign (PS00108) located at about amino acids 271–283 of SEQ ID NO:42.

For general information regarding PFAM identifiers, PS prefix and PF prefix domain identification numbers, refer to Sonnhammer et al. (1997) Protein 28:405–420

Polypeptides of the invention include fragments which include: all or part of a hydrophobic sequence, e.g., the sequence from about amino acid 255 to 265, from about 330 to 350, and from about 530 to 550 of SEQ ID NO:42; all or part of a hydrophilic sequence, e.g., the sequence from about amino acid 30 to 50, from about 170 to 185, and from about 455 to 475 of SEQ ID NO:42; a sequence which includes a Cys, or a glycosylation site.

The protein kinase domain of human 16002 (amino acids 128 to 409 of SEQ ID NO:42) aligns with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a hidden Markov model (HMM) from PFAM (SEQ ID NO:61).

A BLAST alignment of human 16002 with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a ProDomain “kinase Ca2/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylase serine threonine hydroxyalkyl-protein B calcium/calmodulin alpha glycogen” (Release 2001.1) shows amino acid residues 1 to 80 of the 80 amino acid consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO:62) aligns with the “kinase Ca2/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylase serine threonine hydroxyalkyl-protein B calcium/calmodulin alpha glycogen” domain of human 16002, amino acid residues 1 to 80 of SEQ ID NO:42.

A BLAST alignment of human 16002 with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a ProDomain “kinase Ca2/calmodulin-dependent beta alpha synthase phosphorylase serine threonine calcium/calmodulin” (Release 2001.1) shows amino acid residues 1 to 61 of the 61 amino acid consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO:63) aligns with the “kinase Ca2/calmodulin-dependent beta alpha synthase phosphorylase serine threonine calcium/calmodulin” domain of human 16002, amino acid residues 403 to 463 of SEQ ID NO:42.

A BLAST alignment of human 16002 with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a ProDomain “kinase calcium/calmodulin alpha-dependent” (Release 2001.1). shows amino acid residues 1 to 47 of the 47 amino acid consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO:64), aligns with the “kinase calcium/calmodulin alpha-dependent” domain of human 16002, amino acid residues 81 to 127 of SEQ ID NO:42.

A BLAST alignment of human 16002 with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a ProDomain “kinase Ca2/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylase serinethreonine hydroxyalkyl-protein B calcium/calmodulin alpha glycogen” (Release 2001.1) shows amino acid residues 1 to 36 of the 42 amino acid consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO:65) aligns with the “kinase Ca2/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylase serine threonine hydroxyalkyl-protein B calcium/calmodulin alpha glycogen” domain of human 16002, amino acid residues 464 to 499 of SEQ ID NO:42.

The 16658, 14223, and 16002 proteins contain a significant number of structural characteristics in common with members of the kinase family. The term “family” when referring to the protein and nucleic acid molecules of the invention means two or more proteins or nucleic acid molecules having a common structural domain or motif and having sufficient amino acid or nucleotide sequence homology as defined herein. Such family members can be naturally or non-naturally occurring and can be from either the same or different species. For example, a family can contain a first protein of human origin as well as other distinct proteins of human origin, or alternatively, can contain homologues of non-human origin, e.g., rat or mouse proteins. Members of a family can also have common functional characteristics.

The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery of novel molecules, referred to herein as “16658, 14223, and 16002” nucleic acid and polypeptide molecules, which play a role in or function in the transduction of signals for cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. In one embodiment, the 16658, 14223, and 16002 molecules modulate the activity of one or more proteins involved in cellular growth or differentiation, e.g., cell growth or differentiation. In another embodiment, the 16658, 14223, and 16002 molecules of the present invention are capable of modulating the phosphorylation state of 16658, 14223, and 16002 molecules or one or more proteins involved in cellular growth or differentiation.

16022 has homology to rat calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK) alpha. As such, without being bound by theory, 16002 is expected to be a CaMKK that mediates responses in different pain states of BDNF, the growth factor of the neurotrophin family that is upregulated in nociceptive neurons after axotomy and CCI and released into the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. CaMKK alpha phosphorylates CaMK I and IV that regulate transcription. Itself is negatively regulated by PKA. In the brain, CaMKK alpha blocks apoptosis-induced by increase of intracellular Ca++ levels after NMDA receptor stimulation. NMDA receptors are very important players in the modulation of pain in the spinal cord. In addition, CaMKIV, a substrate for CaMKK alpha, is phosphorylated after BDNF exposure.

As used herein, the term “protein kinase” includes a protein or polypeptide which is capable of modulating its own phosphorylation state or the phosphorylation state of another protein or polypeptide. Protein kinases can have a specificity for (i.e., a specificity to phosphorylate) serine/threonine residues, tyrosine residues, or both serine/threonine and tyrosine residues, e.g., the dual specificity kinases. As referred to herein, protein kinases preferably include a catalytic domain of about 200–400 amino acid residues in length, preferably about 250–300 amino acid residues in length, or more preferably about 265–296 amino acid residues in length, which includes preferably 5–20, more preferably 5–15, or preferably 11 highly conserved motifs or subdomains separated by sequences of amino acids with reduced or minimal conservation. Specificity of a protein kinase for phosphorylation of either tyrosine or serine/threonine can be predicted by the sequence of two of the subdomains (VIb and VIII) in which different residues are conserved in each class (as described in, for example, Hanks et al. (1988) Science 241:42–52) the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). These subdomains are also described in further detail herein.

Protein kinases play a role in signaling pathways associated with cellular growth. For example, protein kinases are involved in the regulation of signal transmission from cellular receptors, e.g., growth-factor receptors; entry of cells into mitosis; and the regulation of cytoskeleton function, e.g., actin bundling. Thus, the 16658, 14223, and 16002 molecules of the present invention may be involved in: 1) the regulation of transmission of signals from cellular receptors, e.g., growth factor receptors; 2) the modulation of the entry of cells into mitosis; 3) the modulation of cellular differentiation; 4) the modulation of cell death; and 5) the regulation of cytoskeleton function.

Inhibition or over stimulation of the activity of protein kinases involved in signaling pathways associated with cellular growth can lead to perturbed cellular growth, which can in turn lead to cellular growth related disorders. As used herein, a “cellular growth related disorder” includes a disorder, disease, or condition characterized by a deregulation, e.g., an upregulation or a downregulation, of cellular growth. Cellular growth deregulation may be due to a deregulation of cellular proliferation, cell cycle progression, cellular differentiation and/or cellular hypertrophy.

The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery of novel molecules, referred to herein as 16658, 14223, and 16002 protein and nucleic acid molecules, which comprise a family of molecules having certain conserved structural and functional features.

One embodiment of the invention features 16658, 14223, and 16002 nucleic acid molecules, preferably human 16658, 14223, and 16002 molecules, e.g., 16658, 14223, and 16002. The 16658, 14223, and 16002 nucleic acid and protein molecules of the invention are described in further detail in the following subsections.

A 16658, 14223, and 16002 polypeptide can include a “kinase domain” or regions homologous with a “kinase domain”.

As used herein, the term “kinase domain” includes an amino acid sequence of about 100–400 amino acid residues in length and having a bit score for the alignment of the sequence to the kinase domain (HMM) of at least 8. Preferably, a kinase domain includes at least about 100–350 amino acids, more preferably about 250–300 amino acid residues, or about 265–396 amino acids and has a bit score for the alignment of the sequence to the kinase domain (HMM) of at least 16 or greater. The kinase domain (amino acids 725–1021, 116–381, and 128–409 of SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID NO:39, and SEQ ID NO:42, respectively) of human 16658, 14223, and 16002 were aligned with a consensus amino acid sequence derived from a hidden Markov model.

In a preferred embodiment 16658, 14223, and 16002 polypeptides or proteins have a “kinase domain” or a region which includes at least about 200–350 more preferably about 250–300 or 265–396 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% homology with an “kinase domain,” e.g., the kinase domain of human 16658, 14223, and 16002 (e.g., amino acid residues 725–1021, 116–381, and 128–409 of SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID NO:39, and SEQ ID NO:42, respectively).

To identify the presence of a “kinase domain” in a 16658, 14223 or 16002 protein sequence, and make the determination that a polypeptide or protein of interest has a particular profile, the amino acid sequence of the protein can be searched against a database of HMMs (e.g., the Pfam database, release 2.1) using the default parameters. For example, the hmmsf program, which is available as part of the HMMER package of search programs, is a family specific default program for MILPAT0063 and a score of 15 is the default threshold score for determining a hit. Alternatively, the threshold score for determining a hit can be lowered (e.g., to 8 bits). A description of the Pfam database can be found in Sonhammer et al., (1997) Proteins 28(3):405–420 and a detailed description of HMMs can be found, for example, in Gribskov et al., (1990) Meth. Enzymol. 183:146–159; Gribskov et al., (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:4355–4358; Krogh et al., (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 235:1501–1531; and Stultz et al., (1993) Protein Sci. 2:305–314, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. A search was performed against the HMM database resulting in the identification of a “kinase domain” in the amino acid sequence of human 16658 at about residues 725 to 1021 of SEQ ID NO:36; of human 14223 at about residues 116 to 381 of SEQ ID NO:39; or of human 16002 at about residues 128 to 409 of SEQ ID NO:42.

For further identification of domains in a 16658, 14223, and 16002 protein sequence, and make the determination that a polypeptide or protein of interest has a particular profile, the amino acid sequence of the protein can be searched against a database of domains, e.g., the ProDom database (Corpet et al. (1999), Nucl. Acids Res. 27:263–267). The ProDom protein domain database consists of an automatic compilation of homologous domains. Current versions of ProDom are built using recursive PSI-BLAST searches (Altschul S F et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389–3402; Gouzy et al. (1999) 23:333–340) of the SWISS-PROT 38 and TREMBL protein databases. The database automatically generates a consensus sequence for each domain. A BLAST search was performed against the HMM database resulting in the identification of a “kinase” domain(s) in the amino acid sequence of human 16658 at about residues 128 to 301, 411 to 534, 790 to 839, 354 to 410, 843 to 1017, 668 to 723 of SEQ ID NO:36 having 71%, 58%, 98%, 54%, 28% and 60% identity over those residues respectively; of human 14223 at about residues 285 to 329, 199 to 286, 124 to 245, 293 to 323, 116 to 194, and 351 to 377 (six local alignments) of SEQ ID NO:39 having 52%, 29%, 21%, 35%, 31% and 25% identity over those residues respectively; 308 to 463 and 122 to 249 (two local alignments) of SEQ ID NO:39 having 25% identity over those residues; and of human 16002 at about residues 1 to 80, 403 to 463, 81 to 127, or 464 to 499 of SEQ ID NO:42 having 83%, 78%, 78%, and 94%, identity over those residues respectively.

The 16658, 14223, and 16002 proteins include an ATP-binding region signature. Preferably, the ATP-binding region signature includes the following amino acid consensus sequence having Prosite signature as PS00107, or sequences homologous thereto: [LIV]-G-{P}-G-{P}-[FYWMGSTNH]-[SGA]-{PW}-[LIVCAT]-{PD}-x-[GSTACLIVMFY]-x(5,18)-[LIVMFYWCSTAR]-[AIVP]-[LWVMFAGCKR]-K [K binds ATP] (SEQ ID NO:66). In the above conserved motif, and other motifs described herein, the standard IUPAC one-letter code for the amino acids is used. Each element in the pattern is separated by a dash (-); square brackets ([ ]) indicate the particular residues that are accepted at that position; x indicates that any residue is accepted at that position; and numbers in parentheses (( )) indicate the number of residues represented by the accompanying amino acid. The ATP-binding region of 16658 is found in the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain. The ATP-binding region of 16002 is found in the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain

A 16658 polypeptide can also include a “tyrosine protein kinase specific active-site signature”. Preferably, the tyrosine protein kinase specific active-site signature includes the following amino acid consensus sequence having Prosite signature as PS00109, or sequences homologous thereto: [LIVMFYC]-x-[HY]-x-D-[LIVMFY]-[RSTAC]-x(2)-N-[LIVMFYC](3) [D is an active site residue] (SEQ ID NO:67). The tyrosine protein kinase specific active-site signature for 16658 is found in the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain. A 14223 or 16002 polypeptide can also include a “serine/threonine protein kinases active-site signature”. Preferably, the serine/threonine protein kinases active-site signature includes the following amino acid consensus sequence having Prosite signature as PS00109, or sequences homologous thereto: [LIVWMFYC]-x-[HY]-x-D-[LIVMFY]-K-x(2)-N-[LIVMFYCT](3) [D is an active site residue] (SEQ ID NO:68). The serine/threonine protein kinases active-site signature for 14223 is found in a hydrophilic region of the polypeptide. The serine/threonine protein kinases active-site signature for the 16002 polypeptide is found in N-terminal cytoplasmic domain.

A 16658 polypeptide can also include a “receptor tyrosine kinase class V signature 1”. Preferably, the receptor tyrosine kinase class V signature 1 includes the following amino acid consensus sequence having Prosite signature as PS00790, or sequences homologous thereto: F-x-[DN]-x-[GAW]-[GA]-C-[LIVM]-[SA]-[LIVM](2)-[SA]-[LV]-[KRHQ]-[LIVA]-x(3)-[KR]-C-[PSAW] (SEQ ID NO:69). A 16658 polypeptide can also include a “receptor tyrosine kinase class V signature 2”. Preferably, the receptor tyrosine kinase class V signature 2 includes the following amino acid consensus sequence having Prosite signature as PS00791, or sequences homologous thereto: C-x(2)-[DE]-G-[DEQ]-W-x(2,3)-[PAQ]-[LIVMT]-[GT]-x-C-x-C-x(2)-G-[HFY]-[EQ] (SEQ ID NO:70). The receptor tyrosine kinase class V signatures 1 and 2 for 16658 are found in the extracellular loop.

A 16658 polypeptide can also include a “EGF-like domain signature 2”. Preferably, the EGF-like domain signature 2 includes the following amino acid consensus sequence having Prosite signature as PS01186, or sequences homologous thereto: C-x-C-x(2)-[GP]-[FYW]-x(4,8)-C (SEQ ID NO:71). The EGF-like domain signature 2 for 16658 is found in the extracellular loop.

A 16002 polypeptide can also include an “ATP/GTP-binding site motif A (P-loop)”. Preferably, the ATP/GTP-binding site motif A (P-loop) includes the following amino acid consensus sequence having Prosite signature as PS00017, or sequences homologous thereto: [AG]-x(4)-G-K-[ST] (SEQ ID NO:72). The ATP/GTP-binding site motif A (P-loop) for 16002 is found in the extracellular loop.

In one embodiment, a 16658 protein includes at least one and preferably two transmembrane domains and a 16002 protein includes at least one transmembrane domain. As used herein, the term “transmembrane domain” includes an amino acid sequence of about 10 to 40 amino acid residues in length and spans the plasma membrane. Transmembrane domains are rich in hydrophobic residues, e.g., at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or more of the amino acids of a transmembrane domain are hydrophobic, e.g., leucines, isoleucines, tyrosines, or tryptophans. Transmembrane domains typically have alpha-helical structures and are described in, for example, Zagotta, W. N. et al., (1996) Annual Rev. Neurosci. 19:235–263, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In a preferred embodiment, a 16658 protein includes at least one and preferably two transmembrane domains and a 16002 protein includes at least one transmembrane domain or a region which includes at least or regions which include at least about 12 to 35 more preferably about 14 to 30 or 15 to 25 amino acid residues or 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, or 30 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70% 80% 90% 95%, 99%, or 100% homology with a “transmembrane domain,” e.g., at least one transmembrane domain of human 16658 or 16002 (e.g., amino acid residues 103–119 and 642–665 of SEQ ID NO:36, or amino acid residues 336–354 of SEQ ID NO:42). The transmembrane domain of human 16658 and 16002 can be visualized in a hydropathy plot as regions of about 15 to 25 amino acids where the hydropathy trace is mostly above the horizontal line.

To identify the presence of a “transmembrane” domain in a 16658 or 16002 protein sequence, and make the determination that a polypeptide or protein of interest has a particular profile, the amino acid sequence of the protein can be analyzed by a transmembrane prediction method that predicts the secondary structure and topology of integral membrane proteins based on the recognition of topological models (MEMSAT, Jones et al., (1994) Biochemistry 33:3038–3049).

A mature 16658 protein includes at least one, two, preferably three “non-transmembrane regions” and a mature 16002 protein includes at least one, and preferably two “non-transmembrane regions.” As used herein, the term “non-transmembrane region” includes an amino acid sequence not identified as a transmembrane domain. The non-transmembrane regions in 16658 or 16002 are located at about amino acids residues 1–102, 120–641, and 666–1130 of SEQ ID NO:36 or 1–335 and 356–561 of SEQ ID NO:42.

The non-transmembrane regions of 16658 include at least one preferably two cytoplasmic regions, and non-transmembrane regions of 16002 include at least one cytoplasmic region. When located at the N-terminus, the cytoplasmic region is referred to herein as the “N-terminal cytoplasmic domain.” As used herein, an “N-terminal cytoplasmic domain” includes an amino acid sequence having about 1–400, preferably about 30–75, more preferably about 50–350, or even more preferably about 102–335 amino acid residues in length and is located inside of a cell or within the cytoplasm of a cell. The C-terminal amino acid residue of an “N-terminal cytoplasmic domain” is adjacent to an N-terminal amino acid residue of a transmembrane domain in a 16658 or 16002 protein. For example, an N-terminal non-transmembrane domain is located at about amino acid residues 1–102 of SEQ ID NO:36.

In a preferred embodiment, a polypeptide or protein has an N-terminal cytoplasmic domain or a region which includes at least about 5, preferably about 1 to 400, and more preferably about 1 to 350 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70% 80% 90% 95%, 99%, or 100% homology with an “N-terminal cytoplasmic domain,” e.g., the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain of human 16658 (e.g., residues 1 to 102 of SEQ ID NO:36).

In another embodiment, a cytoplasmic region of a 16658 protein can include the C-terminus and can be a “C-terminal cytoplasmic domain,” also referred to herein as a “C-terminal cytoplasmic tail.” As used herein, a “C-terminal cytoplasmic domain” includes an amino acid sequence having a length of at least about 10, preferably about 1–500, preferably about 100–490, preferably about 150–480, more preferably about 200–464 amino acid residues and is located inside of a cell or within the cytoplasm of a cell. The N-terminal amino acid residue of a “C-terminal cytoplasmic domain” is adjacent to a C-terminal amino acid residue of a transmembrane domain in a 16658 protein. For example, a C-terminal cytoplasmic domain is located at about amino acid residues 666–1130 of SEQ ID NO:36.

In a preferred embodiment, a 16658 polypeptide or protein has a C-terminal cytoplasmic domain or a region which includes at least about 5, preferably about 10 to 200, and more preferably about 150 to 200 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70% 80% 90% 95%, 99%, or 100% homology with a C-terminal cytoplasmic domain,” e.g., the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of human 16658 (e.g., residues 666–1130 of SEQ ID NO:36).

In another embodiment, a 16658 protein includes at least one non-cytoplasmic loop. As used herein, a “non-cytoplasmic loop” includes an amino acid sequence located outside of a cell or within an intracellular organelle. Non-cytoplasmic loops include extracellular domains (i.e., outside of the cell) and intracellular domains (i.e., within the cell). When referring to membrane-bound proteins found in intracellular organelles (e.g., mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes microsomes, vesicles, endosomes, and lysosomes), non-cytoplasmic loops include those domains of the protein that reside in the lumen of the organelle or the matrix or the intermembrane space. For example, a “non-cytoplasmic loop” can be found at about amino acid residues 120–641 of SEQ ID NO:36.

In a preferred embodiment, a 16658 polypeptide or protein has at least one non-cytoplasmic loop or a region which includes at least about 4, preferably about 5 to 600, more preferably about 6 to 550 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70% 80% 90% 95%, 99%, or 100% homology with a “non-cytoplasmic loop,” e.g., at least one non-cytoplasmic loop of human 16658 (e.g., residues 120–641 of SEQ ID NO:36).

As the 16658, 14223, and 16002 polypeptides of the invention may modulate 16658-, 14223-, and 16002-mediated activities, they may be useful for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents for 16658-, 14223-, and 16002-mediated or related disorders. Accordingly, 16658, 14223, and 16002 proteins may mediate various disorders, including cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders, brain disorders, pain or metabolic disorders.

The 16658, 14223, and 16002 nucleic acid and protein of the invention can be used to treat and/or diagnose a variety of proliferative disorders, e.g., such disorders include hematopoietic neoplastic disorders.

Gene Expression of 16658 and 16002

TaqMan real-time quantitative RT-PCR is used to detect the presence of RNA transcript corresponding to human 16658 or 16002 relative to a no template control in a panel of human tissues or cells.

It was found that the highest expression of 16658 orthologs are expressed in normal ovary cell lines in an oncology phase II plate as shown in the following Table 12.

TABLE 12 16658 Expression in Oncology Phase II plate Tissue Type Mean 16658 β 2 Mean ∂∂ Ct Expression PIT 400 Breast N 40 19.47 20.53 0 PIT 372 Breast N 40 20.18 19.82 0 CHT 558 Breast N 40 19.05 20.95 0 CLN 168 Breast T: IDC 40 19.61 20.39 0 MDA 304 Breast T: MD- 39.36 18.51 20.85 0 IDC NDR 57 Breast T: IDC- 40 19.03 20.97 0 PD NDR 132 Breast T: IDC/ 40 20.78 19.22 0 ILC CHT 562 Breast T: IDC 39.31 18.8 20.5 0 NDR 12 Breast T 36 21.84 14.16 0 PIT 208 Ovary N 27.6 18.53 9.07 1.86 CHT 620 Ovary N 32.58 19.47 13.11 0.11 CLN 03 Ovary T 35.49 19.43 16.07 0 CLN 17 Ovary T 39.73 19.95 19.78 0 MDA 25 Ovary T 40 21.82 18.18 0 MDA 216 Ovary T 37.59 20.09 17.5 0 CLN 012 Ovary T 38.48 21.16 17.32 0 MDA 185 Lung N 40 19.57 20.43 0 CLN 930 Lung N 40 18.89 21.11 0 MDA 183 Lung N 40 18.06 21.95 0 MPI 215 Lung T--SmC 39.92 19.05 20.88 0 MDA 259 Lung T- 40 19.95 20.05 0 PDNSCCL CHT 832 Lung T- 40 18.98 21.02 0 PDNSCCL CHT 911 Lung T-SCC 37.59 19.32 18.27 0 MDA 262 Lung T-SCC 37.15 22.34 14.81 0 CHT 211 Lung T-AC 40 19.17 20.83 0 MDA 253 Lung T- 40 18.36 21.64 0 PDNSCCL NHBE 39.42 21.09 18.34 0 CHT 396 Colon N 40 23.82 16.18 0 CHT 523 Colon N 36.09 18.77 17.32 0 CHT 452 Colon N 40 17.4 22.6 0 CHT 382 Colon T: MD 40 18.19 21.81 0 CHT 528 Colon T: MD 40 17.99 22.01 0 CLN 609 Colon T 39.51 18.77 20.73 0 CHT 372 Colon T: MD- 40 19.41 20.59 0 PD NDR 217 Colon-Liver 39.8 18.61 21.19 0 Met NDR 100 Colon-Liver 40 18.06 21.94 0 Met PIT 260 Liver N (female) 40 17.02 22.98 0 ONC 102 Hemangioma 40 19.22 20.78 0 A24 HMVEC-Arr 37.68 18.96 18.72 0 C48 HMVEC-Prol 38.31 20.68 17.62 0

As seen by these results, 16658 molecules have been found to be underexpressed in some tumor cells, where the molecules may be inappropriately propagating either cell proliferation or cell survival signals. As such, activators of the 16658 molecules are useful for the treatment of cancer, preferably ovarian cancer, and useful as a diagnostic.

It was found that the highest expression of 16658 orthologs in phase 1.5.1 expression of 16658 w/β2 is found in normal brain cortex and also in brain hypothalamus as shown in the following Table 13.

TABLE 13 Phase 1.5.1 Expression of 16658 w/β2 Tissue Type Mean β 2 Mean ∂∂ Ct Expression Artery normal 37.62 21.77 15.85 0 Aorta diseased 39.01 21.77 17.23 0 Vein normal 40 19.7 20.31 0 Coronary SMC 38.19 22.4 15.79 0 HUVEC 36.99 20.75 16.25 0 Hemangioma 37.32 19.04 18.29 0 Heart normal 38.34 29.85 8.49 0 Heart CHF 38.87 19.26 19.61 0 Kidney 34.42 20.2 14.22 0.0524 Skeletal Muscle 40 22 18 0 Adipose normal 39.63 20.18 19.45 0 Pancreas 39.73 21.28 18.45 0 primary osteoblasts 40 20.22 19.79 0 Osteoclasts (diff) 40 17.22 22.78 0 Skin normal 40 21.95 18.05 0 Spinal cord normal 35.52 20.14 15.39 0 Brain Hypothalamus normal 30.54 21.7 8.83 2.1974 Nerve 39.85 21.81 18.05 0 Breast normal 40 20.03 19.97 0 Breast tumor 40 20.3 19.7 0 Ovary Tumor 34.32 19.86 14.46 0.0444 Prostate Normal 37.01 19.34 17.66 0 Prostate Tumor 33.24 20.34 12.9 0.1313 Salivary glands 38.98 19.57 19.41 0 Colon normal 34.03 17.91 16.13 0.0139 Colon Tumor 39.34 18.36 20.98 0 Lung normal 38.15 17.58 20.57 0 Lung tumor 39.68 19.72 19.97 0 Lung COPD 39.65 28.95 10.69 0 Colon IBD 40 18.16 21.84 0 Liver normal 40 19.55 20.45 0 Liver fibrosis 38.11 21.5 16.61 0 Spleen normal 39.62 18.73 20.88 0 Tonsil normal 39.63 16.91 22.72 0 Lymph node normal 40 18.34 21.66 0 Small intestine normal 38.42 30.05 8.37 0 Skin-Decubitus 40 20.39 19.61 0 Synovium 37.49 18.91 18.57 0 BM-MNC 40 18.04 21.96 0 Activated PBMC 40 17.5 22.5 0 Neutrophils 40 18.4 21.61 0 Megakaryocytes 40 18.09 21.91 0 Erythroid 40 21 19 0 Brain Cortex normal 28.31 23.11 5.19 27.3939 DRG (Dorsal Root Ganglion) 33.59 21.65 11.94 0.2554 Ovary normal 31.93 19.76 12.17 0.217

The highest levels of expression of 16658 orthologs in expression of 16658 w/β2 (Table 14) and in pain human panel phase I (Table 15) was found in brain. 16002 was also expressed at much lower levels in spinal cord, DRG, thymus, salivary gland and trachea.

TABLE 14 Expression of 16002 w/β2 Tissue Type Mean β 2 Mean ∂∂ Ct Expression Artery normal 38.79 21.54 7.25 0 Vein normal 32.73 19.97 12.76 0.1442 Aortic SMC EARLY 28.18 20.94 7.24 6.6152 Coronary SMC 28.45 21.41 7.04 7.5726 Static HUVEC 28.9 20.44 8.46 2.8398 Shear HUVEC 27.92 20.37 7.55 5.3361 Heart normal 28.25 18.66 9.59 1.2975 Heart CHF 29.3 18.34 10.96 0.502 Kidney 27.47 19.12 8.35 3.0754 Skeletal Muscle 31.7 21.29 10.41 0.7324 Adipose normal 32.27 19.48 12.79 0.1417 Pancreas 30.33 20.44 9.89 1.0539 primary osteoblasts 30.16 19.1 11.06 0.47 Osteoclasts (diff) 29.45 16.77 12.68 0.1529 Skin normal 30.22 20.68 9.54 1.3433 Spinal cord normal 29.13 19.47 9.66 1.2361 Brain Cortex normal 23.04 20.75 2.28 205.8978 Brain Hypothalamus normal 27.03 21.25 5.78 18.2621 Nerve 34.86 24.16 10.7 0.6011 DRG (Dorsal Root Ganglion) 27.07 21.12 5.95 16.176 Glial Cells (Astrocytes) 28.18 21.9 6.29 12.8241 Glioblastoma 27.87 17.25 10.62 0.6354 Breast normal 29.34 19.52 9.82 1.1063 Breast tumor 26.34 17.91 8.43 2.8995 Ovary normal 29.27 19.8 9.46 1.415 Ovary Tumor 30.86 19.22 11.64 0.3133 Prostate Normal 27.75 18.95 8.79 2.2513 Prostate Tumor 25.32 16.34 8.97 1.9873 Epithelial Cells (Prostate) 29.62 20.36 9.26 1.631 Colon normal 28.68 17.66 11.02 0.4816 Colon Tumor 25.57 18.23 7.34 6.1936 Lung normal 30.5 17.28 13.23 0.1044 Lung tumor 26.75 17.41 9.34 1.5484 Lung COPD 28.23 17.9 10.33 0.7769 Colon IBD 29.56 16.81 12.75 0.1452 Liver normal 32.91 19.06 13.85 0.0677 Liver fibrosis 31.59 20.67 10.91 0.5179 Dermal Cells - fibroblasts 28.26 19.29 8.97 1.9942 Spleen normal 29.64 19.12 10.52 0.681 Tonsil normal 27.81 16.56 11.25 0.4106 Lymph node 29.51 18.22 11.3 0.398 Resting PBMC 30.27 19.47 10.8 0.5628 Skin-Decubitus 28.75 20.12 8.63 2.5329 Synovium 28.93 18.57 10.36 0.7635 BM-MNC (Bone marrow 26.46 16.51 9.95 1.011 mononuclear cells) Activated PBMC 28.18 15.37 12.82 0.1388

TABLE 15 16002 Human Panel Phase I Tissue Type 16002 β2.803 ∂ Ct Expression Adrenal Gland 25.91 17.60 8.31 3.15 Brain 23.20 19.95 3.26 104.75 Heart 28.94 18.08 10.86 0.54 Kidney 27.86 17.86 10.00 0.98 Liver 29.25 18.08 11.17 0.44 Lung 28.16 16.28 11.88 0.27 Mammary Gland 27.38 17.24 10.14 0.89 Pancreas 28.21 20.37 7.85 4.35 Placenta 33.31 18.18 15.13 0.03 Prostate 30.26 16.90 13.36 0.10 Salivary Gland 26.38 18.49 7.89 4.22 Muscle 29.10 19.92 9.18 1.72 Sm. Intestine 27.59 18.05 9.54 1.35 Spleen 30.06 15.99 14.07 0.06 Stomach 28.18 17.64 10.55 0.67 Teste 25.67 19.68 5.99 15.79 Thymus 26.28 17.56 8.72 2.37 Trachea 27.28 18.41 8.88 2.13 Uterus 27.08 18.54 8.54 2.69 Spinal Cord 28.49 18.69 9.80 1.12 DRG 28.20 19.24 8.96 2.01 Skin 28.03 18.08 9.95 1.01

The following Table 16 showing the results of a TaqMan experiment with rat panel phase I, showed a similar pattern of expression as that of the human 16002 gene. This gene is also expressed in the SCG.

TABLE 16 12818 Rat Panel Phase I Tissue r12818 18S ∂ Ct Expression Brain 23.92 12.85 11.07 0.47 Spinal Cord 23.77 12.86 10.91 0.52 DRG 25.27 13.69 11.59 0.33 SCG 26.10 13.58 12.52 0.17 Hairy Skin 26.98 13.91 13.07 0.12 Gastro Muscle 28.88 14.24 14.64 0.04 Heart 29.76 13.68 16.08 0.01 Kidney 28.67 13.43 15.25 0.03 Liver 30.95 12.95 18.00 0.00 Lung 25.91 12.71 13.20 0.11 Spleen 27.52 13.78 13.75 0.07 Aorta 28.78 14.20 14.58 0.04 Adrenal Gland 25.46 13.35 12.12 0.23 Salivary Gland 27.47 13.15 14.33 0.05 Thyroid 26.47 14.37 12.10 0.23 Prostate 28.93 13.50 15.43 0.02 Thymus 26.64 13.56 13.08 0.12 Trachea 28.04 14.37 13.67 0.08 Esophagus 27.12 14.16 12.96 0.13 Duodenum 31.70 14.48 17.22 0.01 Diaphragm 29.63 13.98 15.65 0.02

The following table, Table 17, shows the results of a TaqMan experiment with rat phase II and II panels. There is little or no regulation of this gene in animal models.

TABLE 17 12818 Rat Panel Phase II and III Tissue r12818 18S ∂ Ct Expression Naïve DRG 24.77 12.27 12.50 0.17 I DRG CCI 3 24.51 12.52 11.99 0.25 I DRG CCI 7 25.22 12.03 13.20 0.11 I DRG CCI 10 25.25 12.09 13.16 0.11 I DRG CCI 14 25.07 11.98 13.09 0.11 I DRG CCI 28 25.33 11.99 13.34 0.10 Naïve DRG 25.17 12.34 12.83 0.14 I DRG CFA 1 24.92 12.08 12.84 0.14 I DRG CFA 3 25.17 12.23 12.94 0.13 I DRG CFA 7 25.05 12.16 12.89 0.13 I DRG CFA 10 24.88 12.34 12.54 0.17 I DRG CFA 14 24.57 11.84 12.73 0.15 I DRG CFA 28 24.69 12.14 12.55 0.17 Naïve DRG 24.99 11.82 13.18 0.11 I DRG AXT 1 24.95 12.11 12.84 0.14 I DRG AXT 3 25.24 12.30 12.94 0.13 I DRG AXT 7 25.57 12.15 13.43 0.09 I DRG AXT 14 25.27 11.99 13.29 0.10 Naïve SC 22.31 12.34 9.97 1.00 I SC CCI 3 22.80 12.63 10.17 0.87 I SC CCI 7 22.71 12.79 9.92 1.03 I SC CCI 10 22.42 13.14 9.28 1.61 I SC CCI 14 22.33 12.12 10.22 0.84 I SC CCI 28 22.47 13.07 9.40 1.48 Naïve SC 22.67 12.85 9.82 1.11 I SC CFA 1 22.96 12.77 10.19 0.86 I SC CFA 3 22.75 12.45 10.31 0.79 I SC CFA 7 23.30 12.37 10.93 0.51 I SC CFA 10 23.09 12.86 10.23 0.83 I SC CFA 14 23.14 13.30 9.84 1.09 I SC CFA 28 23.03 12.97 10.06 0.94 Naïve SC 22.75 12.71 10.04 0.95 I SC AXT 1 22.65 12.81 9.85 1.09 I SC AXT 3 23.26 12.51 10.75 0.58 I SC AXT 7 23.36 12.42 10.94 0.51 I SC AXT 14 22.41 13.34 9.07 1.86 mAorta 38.01 14.41 23.60 0.00 mL4/5 DRG 34.11 13.69 20.42 0.00 mCerv DRG 34.00 14.01 19.99 0.00 mL4/5 SC 28.77 12.79 15.98 0.02 mCerv · SC 28.95 12.95 16.00 0.02 mSciatic 39.37 14.58 24.80 0.00 mPancreas 40.00 28.96 11.04 0.47 SNS WT 32.44 13.23 19.21 0.00 SNS WT 31.22 12.66 18.56 0.00 rDRG 26.62 13.64 12.99 0.12 rSC 28.40 15.21 13.19 0.11 In Situ Hybridization of 16002

ISH experiment using a human probe showed that the 16002 gene is expressed in human, monkey and rat cortex as well as in monkey and rat spinal cord and DRG. In the rat brain this gene is also expressed at high levels in the hippocampus and at lower levels in the thalamus and in the basal ganglia. In the spinal cord, 16002 is expressed in lamina II of the dorsal horn as well as in laminae V–X. In the DRG, neurons mainly of intermediate size are expressing this gene.

Human 50566 (G2RF)

The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery of novel molecules, referred to herein as “Glyoxalase II Related Factor” or “G2RF” or “50566” nucleic acid and polypeptide molecules, which are novel members of the glyoxalase system enzyme family. These novel molecules are capable of metabolizing toxic compounds (e.g., cytotoxin or other metabolites) in a cell, e.g., a heart, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, thymus, kidney, pancreas, testis, ovary, prostate, colon, or brain cell. By doing so, these molecules help maintain a proper equilibrium of toxic compounds in a cell, thus preventing the occurrence of cellular damage.

As used herein, a “glyoxalase II related factor” includes a protein or polypeptide which is involved in the metabolism of cytotoxins and other metabolites, as well as in the regulation of their cellular levels. As used herein, the terms “cytotoxins” and “metabolites” include compounds which can be harmful or detrimental to a cell when present in sufficient concentrations or quantities. Cytotoxins and metabolites include those which arise from endogenous sources, e.g., the normal metabolic processes of the cell such as the energetic metabolic pathways. Cytotoxins and metabolites may also enter the cell from the extracellular milieu. Cytotoxins and metabolites which enter the cell include those which originate from outside the organism (xenobiotic compounds). Examples of cytotoxins and metabolites include oxaloaldehydes, hydrocarboxylic acids, pharmacological compounds (e.g., chemotherapeutic compounds and anti-cancer drugs), oxidative compounds, glutathione-conjugates, energy metabolites, methylglyoxal, and the like.

As used herein, the phrase “regulation of cellular levels” includes cellular mechanisms involved in regulating and influencing the levels (e.g., intracellular and/or extracellular levels) of cytotoxins and metabolites (e.g., oxaloaldehydes and hydrocarboxylic acids or glutathione-conjugates). Such mechanisms include the conversion of potentially cytotoxic compounds into non-toxic or less toxic compounds, e.g., conversion of oxaloaldehydes (such as methylglyoxal or glutathione conjugates) into hydrocarboxylic acids (such as lactate) in response to biological cues, such as formation of nucleotide adjunct, modification of amino acids, and oxidative stress. The maintenance of regulation of cytotoxin and metabolite levels is particularly important for a cell's ability to function properly. Thus, the G2RF or 50566 molecules, by participating in the regulation of cytotoxin and metabolite levels, may provide novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for controlling cytotoxin- and metabolite-associated disorders (e.g., glyoxalase-associated disorders, oxaloaldehyde- and methylglyoxal-associated disorders).

As used herein, the terms “cytotoxin-associated disorders” and “metabolite-associated disorders” include disorders, diseases, or conditions which are characterized by aberrant, e.g., upregulated, downregulated, or misregulated, cytotoxin and/or metabolite levels (e.g., oxaloacetate, hydroxycarboxylic acid, thioester compound, or glutathione-conjugated compound levels). Examples of such disorders may include cardiovascular disorders, e.g., arteriosclerosis, ischemia reperfusion injury, restenosis, arterial inflammation, vascular wall remodeling, ventricular remodeling, rapid ventricular pacing, coronary microembolism, tachycardia, bradycardia, pressure overload, aortic bending, coronary artery ligation, vascular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, long-QT syndrome, congestive heart failure, sinus node dysfunction, angina, heart failure, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, dilated cardiomyopathy, idiopathic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, coronary artery spasm, or arrhythmia.

Other examples of cytotoxin- and metabolite-associated disorders include disorders of the central nervous system, e.g., cystic fibrosis, type 1 neurofibromatosis, cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders, examples of which include, but are not limited to, Alzheimer's disease, dementias related to Alzheimer's disease (such as Pick's disease), Parkinson's and other Lewy diffuse body diseases, senile dementia, Huntington's disease, Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive supranuclear palsy, epilepsy, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; autonomic function disorders such as hypertension and sleep disorders, and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, korsakoff's psychosis, mania, anxiety disorders, or phobic disorders; learning or memory disorders, e.g., amnesia or age-related memory loss, attention deficit disorder, dysthymic disorder, major depressive disorder, mania, obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychoactive substance use disorders, anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, as well as bipolar affective disorder, e.g., severe bipolar affective (mood) disorder (BP-1), and bipolar affective neurological disorders, e.g., migraine and obesity. Further cytotoxin- and metabolite-associated disorders include, for example, those listed in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the most current version of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Still other examples of cytotoxin- and metabolite-associated disorders include cellular proliferation, growth, differentiation, or migration disorders. Cellular proliferation, growth, differentiation, or migration disorders include those disorders that affect cell proliferation, growth, differentiation, or migration processes. As used herein, a “cellular proliferation, growth, differentiation, or migration process” is a process by which a cell increases in number, size or content, by which a cell develops a specialized set of characteristics which differ from that of other cells (e.g., spermatogenesis), or by which a cell moves closer to or further from a particular location or stimulus. Such disorders include cancer, e.g., carcinoma, sarcoma, or leukemia; tumor angiogenesis and metastasis; skeletal dysplasia; hepatic disorders; and hematopoietic and/or myeloproliferative disorders.

Still other examples of cytotoxin- and metabolite-associated disorders include disorders of the immune system, such as the immune response during starvation, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, viral infection, autoimmune disorders or immune deficiency disorders, e.g., congenital X-linked infantile hypogammaglobulinemia, transient hypogammaglobulinemia, common variable immunodeficiency, selective IgA deficiency, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, or severe combined immunodeficiency. Other examples of cytotoxin- and metabolite-associated disorders include congenital malformities, including facio-genital dysplasia; and skin disorders, including microphthalmia with linear skin defects syndrome.

The term “family” when referring to the polypeptide and nucleic acid molecules of the invention is intended to mean two or more polypeptides or nucleic acid molecules having a common structural domain or motif and having sufficient amino acid or nucleotide sequence homology as defined herein. For example, the family of G2RF polypeptides comprise at least one “transmembrane domain.” As used herein, the term “transmembrane domain” includes an amino acid sequence of about 20–45 amino acid residues in length which spans the plasma membrane. More preferably, a transmembrane domain includes about at least 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 amino acid residues and spans the plasma membrane. Transmembrane domains are rich in hydrophobic residues, and typically have an alpha-helical structure. In a preferred embodiment, at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or more of the amino acids of a transmembrane domain are hydrophobic, e.g., leucines, isoleucines, alanines, valines, phenylalanines, prolines or methionines. Transmembrane domains are described in, for example, Zagotta W. N. et al., (1996) Annual Rev. Neurosci. 19: 235–263, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Amino acid residues 129–145 of the human G2RF polypeptide (SEQ ID NO:74) comprise a transmembrane domain. Accordingly, G2RF or 50566 polypeptides having at least 50–60% homology, preferably about 60–70%, more preferably about 70–80%, or about 80–90% homology with a transmembrane domain of human G2RF or 50566 are within the scope of the invention.

To identify the presence of a transmembrane domain in a G2RF or 50566 protein, and make the determination that a protein of interest has a particular profile, the amino acid sequence of the protein may be subjected to MEMSAT analysis. A MEMSAT analysis resulted in the identification of a transmembrane domain in the amino acid sequence of human G2RF or 50566 (SEQ ID NO:74) at about residues 129–145.

In another embodiment, a G2RF or 50566 molecule of the present invention is identified based on the presence of at least one “metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain”, also referred to interchangeably herein as a “lactamase-B domain.” As used herein, the term “metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain” or “lactamase-B domain” includes a protein domain having an amino acid sequence of about 80–250 amino acid residues and has a bit score of at least 80 when compared against a metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain Hidden Markov Model (HMM). Preferably, a “metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain” has an amino acid sequence of about 90–240, 100–220, 120–200, 140–180, or more preferably, about 165 amino acid residues, and a bit score of at least 90, 100, 110, 120, or more preferably about 133.3. In a preferred embodiment, a “metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain” includes a domain which has an amino acid sequence of about 80–250 amino acid residues, and serves to catalyze the hydrolysis of a thioester (e.g. the thioester in a lactoylglutathione compound). Metallo-beta lactamase superfamily domains are described in, for example, Carfi et al., (1995) EMBO Journal 14:4914–4921, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. To identify the presence of a metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain in a G2RF protein, and make the determination that a protein of interest has a particular profile, the amino acid sequence of the protein may be searched against a database of known protein domains (e.g., the HMM database). The metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain has been assigned the PFAM Accession No. PF00753 and InterPro Accession No. IPR001279. A search was performed against the HMM database resulting in the identification of a metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain in the amino acid sequence of human G2RF or 50566 (SEQ ID NO:74) at about residues 7–172 of SEQ ID NO:74.

A description of the Pfam database can be found in Sonhammer et al. (1997) Proteins 28:405–420 and a detailed description of HMMs can be found, for example, in Gribskov et al.(1990) Meth. Enzymol. 183:146–159; Gribskov et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:4355–4358; Krogh et al.(1994) J. Mol. Biol. 235:1501–1531; and Stultz et al.(1993) Protein Sci. 2:305–314, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In a preferred embodiment, the G2RF or 50566 molecules of the invention include at least one transmembrane domain and/or at least one a metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain.

Isolated G2RF or 50566 polypeptides of the present invention, have an amino acid sequence sufficiently identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:74 or are encoded by a nucleotide sequence sufficiently identical to SEQ ID NO:73 or 75. As used herein, the term “sufficiently identical” refers to a first amino acid or nucleotide sequence which contains a sufficient or minimum number of identical or equivalent (e.g., an amino acid residue which has a similar side chain) amino acid residues or nucleotides to a second amino acid or nucleotide sequence such that the first and second amino acid or nucleotide sequences share common structural domains or motifs and/or a common functional activity. For example, amino acid or nucleotide sequences which share common structural domains having at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more homology or identity across the amino acid sequences of the domains and contain at least one and preferably two structural domains or motifs, are defined herein as sufficiently identical. Furthermore, amino acid or nucleotide sequences which share at least 50%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more homology or identity and share a common functional activity are defined herein as sufficiently identical.

In a preferred embodiment, a G2RF or 50566 polypeptide includes at least one or more of the following domains: a transmembrane domain and/or a metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain, and has an amino acid sequence at least about 50%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more homologous or identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:74. In yet another preferred embodiment, a G2RF polypeptide includes at least one or more of the following domains: a transmembrane domain and/or a metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain, and is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a complement of a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:73 or SEQ ID NO:75. In another preferred embodiment, a G2RF polypeptide includes at least one or more of the following domains: a transmembrane domain and/or a metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain, and has a G2RF activity.

As used interchangeably herein, “G2RF or 50566 activity”, “biological activity of G2RF or 50566” or “functional activity of G2RF or 50566”, includes an activity exerted by a G2RF polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule on a G2RF responsive cell or tissue, or on a G2RF polypeptide substrate, as determined in vivo, or in vitro, according to standard techniques. In one embodiment, a G2RF activity is a direct activity, such as an association with a G2RF-target molecule. As used herein, a “target molecule” or “binding partner” is a molecule with which a G2RF polypeptide binds or interacts in nature, such that G2RF-mediated function is achieved. A G2RF target molecule can be a non-G2RF molecule, for example, a non-G2RF polypeptide. In an exemplary embodiment, a G2RF target molecule is a G2RF ligand, e.g., a cytotoxin, a metabolite, glutathione, a gluathione-conjugated compound such as lactoylglutathione, or a thioester-containing compound. For example, a G2RF target molecule can have one or more of the following activities: (1) it may interact with cytotoxins and metabolites (e.g., lactoylglutathione, a glutathione-conjugated metabolite, a hydroxycarboxylic acid, and the like), (2) it may catalyze the mebobolism of a cytotoxin or metabolite (e.g., lactoylglutathione, a glutathione-conjugated metabolite, a hydroxycarboxylic acid, and the like), (3) it may hydrolyze a thioester containing compound (e.g., lactoylglutathione, and the like), (4) it may catalyze the formation of a thioester conjugation on a substrate (e.g., lactate or a hydroxycarboxylic acid). Moreover, a G2RF activity is an indirect activity, such as a cellular signaling activity mediated by interaction of the G2RF polypeptide with a G2RF ligand. The biological activities of G2RF are described herein. For example, the G2RF polypeptides of the present invention can have one or more of the following activities: (1) modulation of signal transduction in a cell, (2) modulation of cytotoxin and/or metabolite levels (e.g., detoxification), (3) maintenance of equilibrium of cytotoxins and/or metabolites, (4) modulation of cancer or tumor progression, (5) modulation of cellular proliferation, (6) modulation of tissue development (e.g. embryogenesis), (7) modulation of differentiation, (8) modulation of apoptosis, and (9) modulation of energy metabolism.

The human G2RF or 50566 cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:73), which is approximately 1154 nucleotide residues long including un-translated regions, contains a predicted methionine-initiated coding sequence of about 846 nucleotide residues, (nucleotide residues 22–867 of SEQ ID NO:73; 1–846 SEQ ID NO:75), not including the terminal codon. The coding sequence encodes a 282 amino acid protein having the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:74.

Analysis of the Human G2RF or 50566 Molecules

A search using the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:74 was performed against the HMM database in PFAM resulting in the identification of a metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily domain in the amino acid sequence of human G2RF or 50566 at about residues 7–172 of SEQ ID NO:74 (score=133.3).

A search using the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:74 was also performed against the Memsat database, resulting in the identification of a potential transmembrane domain in the amino acid sequence of human G2RF or 50566 (SEQ ID NO:74) at about residues 129–145, and the identification of a potential signal peptide in the amino acid sequence of human G2RF at about residues 1–54 of SEQ ID NO:74.

Further domain motifs were identified by using the amino acid sequence of 50566 (SEQ ID NO:74) to search the ProDom database. Numerous matches against protein domains described as “Hydrolase II Hydroxyacylglutathione Glyoxalase Glx Zinc Cytoplasmic Plasmid Peptide Multigene”, Hydrolase Similar Flavoprotein Rv2260 Tuberculosis Mycobacterium PH1213”, “Hydrolase II Hydroxyacylglutathione Zinc Glyoxalase Glx Precursor Family”, “II Hydrolase Glyoxalase Glx Hydroxyacylglutathione Zinc Precursor Specific MNCB-5687 Peptide” and the like were identified.

A search was also performed against the Prosite database, which resulted in the identification of a potential “cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation site” at residues 232–235 of SEQ ID NO:74 (Prosite accession number PS00004), two potential “Protein kinase C phosphorylation sites” at residues 86–88 and 235–237 of SEQ ID NO:74 (Prosite accession number PS00005), multiple potential “Casein kinase II phosphorylation sites” at residues 143–146, 155–158, 177–180 and 213–216 of SEQ ID NO:74 (Prosite accession number PS00006), and multiple potential N-myristoylation sites at residues 44–49, 140–145 and 274–279 of SEQ ID NO:74 (Prosite accession number PS00008).

The amino acid sequence of human G2RF or 50566 was analyzed using the program PSORT to predict the localization of the proteins within the cell. This program assesses the presence of different targeting and localization amino acid sequences within the query sequence. The results of the analyses show that human G2RF may be localized to the cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria, or golgi.

Tissue Expression Analysis of G2RF mRNA Using Taqman Analysis

The following describes the tissue distribution of human G2RF mRNA in a variety of cells and tissues, as determined using the TaqMan™ procedure.

An array of human tissues were tested. Expression was greatest in the brain cortex and hypothalamus, normal skin, heart with coronary heart failure (CHF) and erythroid cells. Expression was also high in the kidney, coronary smooth muscle cells (SMC), human umbilical vein epithelial cells (HUVEC), normal spinal cord tissue, dorsal root ganglions and colon tumor.

Human 65552

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a novel gene encoding an MMP (“MMP” is used interchangeably herein with “matrix metalloprotease”, “matrix metalloprotease-ADAMTS” and “matrix metalloproteinase”), the gene referred to herein as “65552”.

The human 65552 cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:76), which is approximately 2853 nucleotide residues long including un-translated regions, contains a predicted methionine-initiated coding sequence of about 2850 nucleotide residues, (i.e., nucleotide residues 1–2850 of SEQ ID NO:76; also shown in SEQ ID NO:78). The coding sequence encodes a 950 amino acid protein having the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:77.

A hydropathy plot of human 65552 was performed. Polypeptides of the invention include fragments which include: all or part of a hydrophobic sequence, e.g., the sequence from about amino acid 408 to 424 of SEQ ID NO:77; a sequence which includes a Cys, or a glycosylation site.

The 65552 protein contains a significant number of structural characteristics in common with members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family. The 65552 protein contains a significant number of structural characteristics in common with members of the adamalysins (reprolysin) family. For example, the 65552 molecule may contain a peptidase M12B propeptide domain, a reprolysin domain, and a thrombospondin domain.

Matrix metalloproteinase adamalysin molecules require a metal for catalyzing the cleavage of peptides or proteins. Typically, these proteases require zinc for the catalysis, ligands for which can be histidine residues. Many of these proteins have collagenase-like catalytic activity. For example, collagens are extracellular matrix proteins responsible for the architecture and structural integrity of most tissues and stromelysin, which degrade the extracellular matrix.

Metalloproteases (also referred to herein as “metallopeptidases” or “metalloproteinases” or “MMPs”) are a group of highly diverse, widely distributed proteolytic enzymes that depend on bound Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺ for activity. Certain metalloproteases can readily utilize Mn²⁺ and Mg²⁺ as well. About 30 families of metalloproteases are recognized, about half of which comprise enzymes containing the HEXXH motif (SEQ ID NO:84) (Rawlings et al. (1995) Meth Enzymol 248:183–228). The most thoroughly characterized of the metalloproteases is thermolysin, a member of the M4 metalloprotease family.

Another metalloprotease family, the M12 family, contains the reprolysin (M12B) subfamily, which contains the snake venom metalloproteases and adamalysins family. The reprolysin subfamily also includes BRCA1, a human breast cancer-associated protein, and mammalian fertilin.

The ADAM subfamily of reprolysins comprises a broad family of multifunctional proteins, members of which may include, but are not limited to, a disintegrin and/or a metalloprotease domain (Wolfsberg et al. (1995) Developmental Biol 169:378–383; Wolfsberg et al. (1995) J Cell Biol 131:275–278; Hurskainen et al. (1999) J Biol Chem 274:25555–25563).

The ADAMs are expressed by a wide variety of cell types, and are involved in functions as diverse as sperm-egg binding, myotube formation, neurogenesis, and proteolytic processing of cell surface proteins. Their functions involve proteolysis on the cell surface: the formation and inactivation of regulatory peptides and growth factors, as well as modification of cell surface proteins. Most members of this family are snake venom endopeptidases, but there are also some mammalian proteins such as fertilin and TACE. (Fertilin is involved in sperm-egg binding, and TACE is a member of the ADAM family that cleaves membrane-bound TNF-alpha to generate soluble TNF-alpha). The active enzymes degrade components of the extracellular matrix, playing a role in the initial steps of tissue remodeling during morphogenesis, wound healing, angiogenesis and tumor invasion.

The ADAMTSs (“a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombosponding type I motifs”) subfamily of ADAMs are similar in domain organization (though different from other ADAM family members), having one or more of the following domains: a signal peptide, peptidase M12B propeptide domain, a zinc binding region signature a domain, a cysteine-rich domain, a thrombospondin type-1 domain, and in many cases a membrane-spanning region and a cytoplasmic domain with signaling potential. For example, ADAMTS-1 differs from other ADAM family members due to a lack of the cysteine rich, EGF and transmembrane domains and the addition of thrombospondin type I motifs (Kuno et al. (1997) J Biol Chem 272: 556–562).

Reprolysin (M12B) is a zinc metalloprotease family member with no disintegrin-like domain, but with one propeptide for members of the peptidase family M12, and one thrombospondin type I motif. These proteins have collagenase-like catalytic activity. For example, collagens are extracellular matrix proteins responsible for the architecture and structural integrity of most tissues. They are synthesized as procollagens and go through a series of post-translational modifications both inside and outside the cell before they are fully functional (Duance and Bailey (1981) Handbook of Inflammation. Vol. 3 Tissue Regeneration and Repair, ed. Glynn, L E Elsevier, Amsterdam, 51–109). Included in collagen maturation are the steps of removing the extension peptides from the N- and C-termini. The failure of this process results in many connective tissue disorders, for example, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VIIC, characterized by the retention of the N-terminal propeptide of collagen I (Lenaers et al. (1971) Eur J Biochem 23: 533–543) by a metalloprotease, procollagen I N-protease (Colige et al. (1999) Am. J. Hum. Genet. 65: 308–317).

The known members of the reprolysin subfamily mostly lack essential peptidase active sites, but can contain one of the following domains: a C-terminal disintegrin-like domain, an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain, and transmembrane domains (Rawlings et al. (1995) Meth Enzymol 248:183–228). In addition, members of the reprolysin (M12B) subfamily of zinc metalloproteases contain a reprolysin propeptide region. Many MMPs are expressed as latent pro-enzymes that are activated by proteolytic cleavage. Cleavage of the M12B propeptide triggers a conformational change in the propeptide, thereby converting an M12B family type metalloprotease to its active strate. Coordination of Zn2+ in the active site of the catalytic domain of the M12B propeptide by a cysteine residue in the prodomain is critical for inhibition of the protease. (Overgaard et.al. (1999), J Biol. Chem, 7:274(19):13427–33).

The reprolysin domain is characteristic of extracellular metalloproteinases, such as collagenase and stromelysin, which degrade the extracellular matrix. The members of this family are enzymes that cleave peptides. These proteases require zinc for catalysis, ligands for which can be histidine residues. Members of this family are also known as adamalysins. There are two subfamilies of adamalysins: the snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs) and the ADAMs (“a disintegrin and metalloprotease”). At least 23 ADAMs have been identified to date. Members of the ADAMs family of proteins include, but are not limited to, MDC (ADAM1), ADAMTS-1, fertilin (ADAM2), cryitestin (ADAM3), epididymal apical protein I, meltrin, MS2, TNF-a converting enzyme, Kuzbanian and metargidin.

The thrombospondin type I (TSP I) motifs in ADAMTS-1 enable it to bind to the extracellular matrix (Kuno and Matsushima (1998) J Biol Chem 273: 13912–13917). TSP I motifs are conserved domains in thrombospondin 1 and 2, multifunctional secretory glycoproteins involved in blood clotting, inhibiting angiogenesis and regulating the proliferation, adhesion and migration of normal and tumor cells. The biological activities of thrombospondin 1 and 2 are mediated by the binding of the TSP type I motifs to extracellular matrix molecules, such as heparan sulfate, proteoglycans, fibronectin, laminin and collagen. Thrombospondin-1 is a platelet-derived glycoprotein that is released from platelet alpha granules in response to thrombin stimulation. It is involved in cell adhesion and modulates cell movement, cell proliferation, neurite outgrowth and angiogenesis. In general, the biological functions of metalloproteases include protein maturation, degradation of proteins, such as extracellular matrix proteins (ECM proteins), tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis, among others. Thus, metalloproteases are likely to play important roles in a wide range of diseases including, but not limited to, cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and a variety of inflammatory conditions. Other normal and pathological processes in which MMP-catalyzed changes in ECM protein structures have been implicated are described, for example, in Nagase et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274:21491–21494. Accordingly, metalloproteases are an important target for drug action and development. Therefore, it is valuable to the field of pharmaceutical development to identify and characterize previously unknown metalloproteases.

A human 65552 polypeptide can include a reprolysin domain.

In a preferred embodiment, the reprolysin domain is characteristic of extracellular metalloproteinases.

As used herein, the term “reprolysin domain” refers to a protein domain having an amino acid sequence of about 100–300 amino acid residues in length, and having an E value of about 2.5e–8. Preferably, the reprolysin domain has a length of about 100–300 amino acid residues in length, preferably about 150–250 amino acid residues in length, more preferably about 175–225 amino acid residues in length, and even more preferably about 205–220 amino acids residues in length, and has an E-value of about 2.5 e–9 or less, more preferably about 2.5 e-10 or less, and most preferably about 2.5e–11 or less. The reprolysin domain has been assigned the PFAM Accession number PF01421.

The consensus sequence for a reprolysin domain was derived from a hidden Markov model (HMM) within Pfam (version 5.5) (PFAM Accession number PF01421). An alignment of the 65552 protein with a consensus reprolysin amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:80) has a predicted bit score of 9.3, and an E-value of 2.5e–11. Preferably, the reprolysin domain has the ability to cleave a protein or peptide in the presence of a metal (i.e., Zn⁺⁺).

A reprolysin domain of a 65552 protein can also include a neutral zinc metallopeptidases, zinc-binding region having the following signature sequence: [GSTALIVN]-x(2)-H-E-[LIVMFYW]-{DEHRKP}-H-x-[LIVMFYWGSPQ] (SEQ ID NO:83). In this signature sequence pattern, each element in the pattern is separated by a dash (-); square [ ] brackets indicate the particular residues that are accepted at that position; elaborate { } brackets indicate the residues that are not accepted at that position; x indicates any residue is accepted at that position; a whole number in parenthesis following an x indicates any amino acid repetition of a particular element is accepted for that specified number of residues i.e., x(4), and the standard IUPAC one-letter code for the amino acids is used. The two H's are zinc ligands and E is the active site residue.

This signature sequence can be found from about residues 358 to 367 of the 65552 protein (SEQ ID NO:77). For example, the conserved histidines can be found at about amino acid residues 361 and 365 of SEQ ID NO:77. These histidine residues are believed to interact with zinc ions.

In a preferred embodiment, 65552 polypeptide or protein has a reprolysin domain or a region which includes at least about 100 to 300, more preferably about 150 to 250, 175 to 225, 205 to 220 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% identity with a reprolysin domain, e.g., the domain of human 65552 (e.g., residues 218 to 427 of SEQ ID NO:77) (SEQ ID NO:80). Preferably a 65552 polypeptide or protein contains the typical neutral zinc metallopeptidases, zinc binding region signature sequence described above. This sequence is located at about amino acid residues 357 to 367 of SEQ ID NO:77.

A 65552 polypeptide can also include one or more peptidase M12B propeptide domains. As used herein, the term “peptidase M12B propeptide domain” refers to a protein domain having an amino acid sequence of about 40 to 160 amino acid residues in length, and having an E value of about 4.3e–3. The peptidase M12B propeptide domain has a length of about 40 to 160 amino acid residues, preferably between about 60 to 150 amino acids residues in length, more preferably between about 80 to 130 amino acid residues in length, and even more preferably between about 100 to 120 amino acid residues in length, and has an E-value of about 4.3e–4 or less, more preferably 4.3–5 or less, and most preferably about 4.3e–6 or less.

The peptidase M12B propeptide domain of the 65552 polypeptide shows homology to the peptidase M12B propeptide domain corresponding to PFAM Accession PF06562 derived from a hidden Markov model (HMM) within Pfam (version 5.5) (PFAM Accession number PF01562) (SEQ ID NO:79). An alignment of the 65552 protein (residues 67–181 of SEQ ID NO:77) with a consensus peptidase M12B propeptide amino acid sequence derived from a hidden Markov model as predicted by PFAM has a bit score of 25.7, and an E-value of 24.3e–6.

In a preferred embodiment, a 65552 polypeptide or protein has a peptidase M12B propeptide domain or a region which includes at least about 40–160 amino acids, preferably about 60–150 amino acids, more preferably about 80–130 amino acids, even more preferably about 100–120 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% identity with a peptidase M12B propeptide domain (e.g., the peptidase M12B propeptide domains of human 65552 (e.g., residues 67–181 of SEQ ID NO:77).

The peptidase M12B propeptide domain may be involved in maintaining the protease in a latent form. The propeptide contains a sequence motif similar to the “cysteine switch” of matrixins. The function of the domain can be explained by the cysteine switch model, in which coordination of Zn2+ in the active site of the catalytic domain by a cysteine residue in the prodomain is critical for inhibition of the protease.

A 65552 polypeptide can also include one or more thrombospondin type 1 domains. As used herein, the term “thrombospondin type 1 domain” also referred to herein as “TSP-1 domain” refers to a protein domain having an amino acid sequence of about 10 to 100 amino acid residues in length, and an E value of about 1.5e–4. Preferably, the TSP-1 domain is between 10 to 100 amino acid residues in length, preferably between about 20 to 80 amino acids residues in length, more preferably between about 40 to 60 amino acid residues in length, and even more preferably between about 45 to 55 amino acids in length, and has an E-value of about 1.5e–5 or less, more preferably about 1.5e–5 or less, and most preferably about 1.5e–7 or less. The thrombospondin type 1 domain has been assigned the PFAM Accession number PF00090. An alignment of the 65552 protein, (amino acid residues 520–570 of SEQ ID NO:77) with a consensus thrombospondin type 1 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:81) derived from a hidden Markov model within Pfam (version 5.5) (PFAM Accession number PF00090) (SEQ ID NO:81) has a bit score of 38.5, and an E-value of 1.5e–07.

In a preferred embodiment, a 65552 polypeptide or protein has a thrombospondin type 1 domain or a region which includes at least about 10–100 amino acids, preferably about 20–80 amino acids, more preferably about 40–60 amino acids, even more preferably about 45–55 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% identity with a thrombospondin type 1 domain, e.g., the thrombospondin type 1 domains of human 65552 (e.g., 520–570 of SEQ ID NO:77).

Preferably, the thrombospondin type 1 domain has the ability to suppress tumor growth by its ability to inhibit neovascularization (angiogenesis) and proliferation. Preferably as well, the thrombospondin type 1 domain has the ability to modulate cell-cell interaction (i.e., modulating endothelial cell growth, adhesion, and motility and apoptosis).

To identify the presence of a reprolysin domain profile, a peptidase M12B propeptide domain profile, and a thrombospondin type 1 domain profile in a 65552 polypeptide, the amino acid sequence of the protein is searched against a database of HMMs (e.g., the Pfam database, release 2.1) using the default parameters. For example, the hmmsf program, which is available as part of the HMMER package of search programs, is a family specific default program for PF01421, PF01562, and PF00090 and score of 15 is the default threshold score for determining a hit. Using the hmmsf program, the following domains were identified: a reprolysin domain profile was identified in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:77 (e.g., amino acids 218–427 of SEQ ID NO:77 (SEQ ID NO:80)); a peptidase M12B propeptide was identified in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:77 (e.g., amino acids 67–181 of SEQ ID NO:77 (SEQ ID NO:79)), and a thrombospondin type 1 domain profile was identified in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:77 (e.g., amino acids 520–570 of SEQ ID NO:77 (SEQ ID NO:81)). Accordingly, a 65552 protein, or a domain thereof having at least about 60–70%, more preferably about 70–80%, or still more preferably about 80–90% homology with the reprolysin domain profile, and the peptidase M12B propeptide domain profile, and the thrombospondin type 1 domain profile of human 65552 are within the scope of the invention.

For further identification of polyptides, and demonstration of shared characteristics with other metalloproteases, the 65552 polypeptide molecule is aligned to that of other metaloproteases. An alignment of human 65552 protein (SEQ ID NO:77) with a murine metalloproteinase (Swissprot Accession #: O54768: SEQ ID NO:82) demonstrates that these sequences are 43.4% identical, and have a glogal alignment score of 2516.

The human 65552 polypeptide can also contains a leucine zipper pattern, or regions homologous with a leucine zipper pattern.

Metalloproteases, fragments or variants thereof can have a leucine zipper motif or regions homologous with a leucine zipper motif. Leucine zippers typically contain a repeat of leucine positioned every seven amino acids (L-x(6)-L-x(6)-L-x(6)-L) (SEQ ID NO:85), over a distance of eight helical turns. The segments containing these periodic arrays of leucines appear to exist in an alpha-helical conformation in which leucine side chains extending from one alpha-helix interact with those from a similar alpha helix of a second polypeptide, facilitating dimerization. These interactions are frequently required for the activity of the protein complex, e g., transcriptional activation of a nucleic acid via binding to a gene regulatory sequence and subsequent formation of a transcription initiation complex. Leucine zippers therefore mediate protein-protein interactions in vivo and in particular, interactions between multi-subunit transcription factors (homodimers, heterodimers, etc.).

Thus, in another embodiment, a 65552 metalloprotease or fragment or variant can have one or more activities of a leucine zipper motif, such as binding to another polypeptide that has a leucine zipper, for example, forming a dimer with a 65552 metalloprotease or fragment or variant containing a leucine zipper. The presence of a leucine zipper motif indicates that 65552 metalloprotease can participate in different pathways due to an ability to interact with different proteins via the leucine zipper motif. For example, the leucine zipper motif can allow 65552 metalloprotease binding to a protein substrate which 65552 may then cleave. Thus, the leucine zipper motif modulates or is involved in one or more activities or functions of 65552 metalloprotease through its ability to confer binding of 65552 metalloprotease to a target molecule or binding partner. The term “leucine zipper activity,” when used in reference to a protein, means a protein having one or more activities associated with leucine-zipper function as described herein or otherwise known in the art.

65552 proteins of the invention can have signal sequences. As used herein, a “signal sequence” includes a peptide of at least about 15 or 20 amino acid residues in length which occurs at the N-terminus of secretory and membrane-bound proteins and which contains at least about 70% hydrophobic amino acid residues such as alanine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, proline, tyrosine, tryptophan, or valine. In a preferred embodiment, a signal sequence contains at least about 10 to 40 amino acid residues, preferably about 15–30 amino acid residues, more preferably about 17 amino acid residues, and has at least about 60–80%, more preferably 65–75%, and more preferably at least about 70% hydrophobic residues. A signal sequence serves to direct a protein containing such a sequence to a lipid bilayer. Thus, in one embodiment, a 65552 protein contains a signal sequence at about amino acids 1 to 17 of SEQ ID NO:77. The signal sequence is cleaved during processing of the mature protein.

In one embodiment, a 65552 protein exists in a mature form which does not include a signal sequence. In this embodiment, the 65552 protein can have a length of about 934 (e.g., 927, 928, 929, 930, 931, 932, 933, 934, 935, 936, or 937) amino acid residues, corresponding to a protein having an amino terminus at about residue 18 (e.g., at residues 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20) and having a carboxyl terminus at about residue 950 of SEQ ID NO:77. In this embodiment, the protein is preferably not membrane-bound, and is also preferably extracellular.

The human 65552 protein has four predicted N-glycosylation sites (Pfam Accession number PS00001) at about amino acid residues 141–144, 591–594, 623–626 and 679–682 of SEQ ID NO:77; two glycosaminoglycan attachment sites (PFAM Accession Number PS00002) at about amino acid residues 417–420 and 760–763; two cAMP and cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation sites (PFAM Accession Number PS00004) at about amino acid residues 204–207 and 683–686 of SEQ ID NO:77; fourteen predicted protein kinase C phosphorylation sites (PFAM Accession Number PS00005) at about amino acid residues 171–173, 203–205, 207–209, 288–290, 303–305, 471–473, 575–577, 578–580, 594–596, 617–619, 611–613, 665–667, 681–683, and 917–919 of SEQ ID NO:77; fourteen predicted casein kinase II phosphorylation sites (PFAM Accession Number PS00006) located at about amino acid residues 19–22, 317–320, 325–328, 337–340, 346–349, 359–362, 432–435, 492–495, 578–581, 611–614, 707–710, 730–733, 744–747, and 764–767 SEQ ID NO:77; fifteen predicted N-myristoylation sites (PFAM Accession Number PS00008) at about amino acid residues 90–95, 105–110, 121–126, 164–169, 175–180, 323–328, 352–357, 439–444, 476–481, 490–495, 535–540, 551–556, 658–663, 673–678, and 761–766 of SEQ ID NO:77; one predicted amidation site (PFAM Accession Number PS00009) at about amino acid residues 36–39 of SEQ ID NO:77; one predicted leucine zipper pattern (PFAM Accession Number PS00029) at about amino acid residues 238–259 of SEQ ID NO:77; one zinc binding signature (PFAM Accession Number PS00142) at about amino acid residues 358–367 of SEQ ID NO:77; and one P-II protein urydylation site at about amino acid residues 129–134 of SEQ ID NO:77.

Information regarding PFAM identifiers, PS prefix and PF prefix domain identification numbers can be found at Sonnhammer et al. (1997) Protein 28:405–420.

In one embodiment of the invention, a 65552 polypeptide includes at least one reprolysin domain. In another embodiment, the 65552 polypeptide comprises at least one reprolysin domain and at least one peptidase M12B propeptide domain. In still another embodiment, the 65552 polypeptide contains at least one reprolysin domain, at least one peptidase M12B propeptide domain, and at least one thrombospondin type-1 domain.

The 65552 molecules of the present invention can further include one or more of the N-glycosylation, glycosaminoglycan attachment, cAMP and cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation, protein kinase C phosphorylation, casein kinase II phosphorylation, N-myristoylation, amidation, leucine zipper, zinc binding signature, and P-II protein urydylation sites sites described herein.

Because the 65552 polypeptides of the invention can modulate 65552-mediated activities, they can be used to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents for 65552-mediated or related disorders, as described herein.

As used herein, a “65552 activity,” “biological activity of 65552,” or “functional activity of 65552,” refers to an activity exerted (directly or indirectly) by a 65552 protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule on, for example, a 65552-responsive cell or on a 65552 substrate (e.g., a protein substrate) as determined in vivo or in vitro. In one embodiment, a 65552 activity is a direct activity, such as association with a 65552 target molecule. A “target molecule” or “binding partner” of a 65552 protein is a molecule with which the 65552 protein binds or interacts in nature. In an exemplary embodiment, such a target molecule is a 65552 receptor. A 65552 activity can also be an indirect activity, such as a cellular signaling activity mediated by interaction of the 65552 protein with a 65552 receptor.

The 65552 molecules of the present invention can have similar biological activities as other MMP family members. For example, the 65552 proteins of the present invention can modulate (directly or indirectly) any one or more of the following activities: 1) smooth muscle cell function (i.e., the muscular component of visceral structures (i.e., blood vessels, the gastrointestinal tract, the uterus, or the urinary bladder)); 2) function of muscular arterial cells.(i.e., cells of radial arteries, (i.e., cells of the tunica intima or the tunica adventicia; 3) catalyzed cleavage of covalent bonds within or between amino acid residues in, for example, ECM, cell-surface, and extracellular proteins; 4) degradation of ECM; 5) angiogenesis; 6) neurite growth; 7 tumor cell invasion or metastasis; 8) the ability to modulate tissue or organ integrity; 9) wound healing; 10) endometrial cycling; 11) hair follicle cycling; 12) bone remodeling; 13) ovulation; 14 embryonic development; or 15) apoptosis.

Other activities, as described herein, include the ability to modulate function, survival, morphology, proliferation and/or differentiation of cells of tissues in which 65552 molecules are expressed. Thus, the 65552 molecules can act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for controlling disorders involving aberrant activities of these cells.

As used herein, the term “metalloprotease activity,” or “protease activity” when used in reference to a protein, means a protein having the ability to cleave a protein substrate by hydrolysis of an amide bond. Typically, the ability to cleave a protein substrate depends upon the presence of a metal ion, such as zinc. Thus, a 65552 metalloproteinase or fragment or variant having metalloproteinase activity is capable of cleaving one or more protein substrates in the presence of a metal, e.g., zinc. Thus, a 65552 metalloproteinase or fragment or variant having metalloproteinase activity is capable of cleaving one or more protein substrates in the presence of zinc.

Activity assays for the metalloproteinase family members, such as 65552 polypeptides, involve any of the known metalloproteinase, reprolysin, or thrombospondin-like activity or functions, as well as activities/functions that may not typically be found in other metalloproteinases. These assays include, but are not limited to: 1) binding extracellular matrix; 2) binding collagen or gelatin; 3) binding integrin; 4) binding zinc or other metals; 5) binding a2-macroglobulin; 6) cleaving specific peptide substrates to produce fragments, affecting cell adhesion; 7) binding heparin or other sulfated glycosaminoglycan, such as heparan sulfate; 8) modulation of vascularization or vascular endothelial growth; 9) breaking down cartilage; 10) induction of apoptosis of endothelial cells; 11)suppressing tumor growth; 12) modulating angiogenesis; 13) affecting cellular chemotaxis; 14) affecting cell-cell adhesion or cell-matrix interaction; 15) binding integrin; 16) and any of the other biological or functional properties of these proteins, including, but not limited to, those disclosed herein, and in the references cited herein. Further, assays can relate to changes in the protein, per se, and on the effects of these changes, for example, cleavage of the substrate, activation of the protein following cleavage, etc. Such assays are described in Tang et al. (1999) FEBS Letters 445:223–225 (for example, induction by interleukin I in vitro and by intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide in vivo, as well as effects on cell adhesion, motility, and growth); Abbaszade et al., (J Biol Chem. 2000 August 18;275(33):25791–7). (for example, products resulting from cleavage at the Glu-Ala site in cartilage explants and chondrocyte cultures treated with interleukin I and retinoic acid, determination of aggrecan cleaving activity with and without hydroxamate inhibitors); (Kuno and Matsushima (1998) J Biol Chem 273: 13912–13917) (binding to the extracellular matrix, binding to sulfated glycosaminoglycans, binding to heparan sulfate); Kuno et al. J (1999) Biol Chem. June 25;274(26):18821–6. (protease trapping of a2-macroglobulin, furin processing); Tortorella et al. (1999) Science. 284(5420):1664–6. (detection of aggrecan fragments, especially by neoepitope antibodies, inhibition of cleavage by ADAM-TS inhibitors, inhibition of pro-MMP activation); Vasquez et al., J Appl Physiol. (1998) October; 85(4):1421–8. (suppression of fibroblast growth factor-2-induced vascularization in the cornea pocket assay and inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane assay, inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, competitive inhibition with endostatin, proliferation of human dermal endothelial cells, use of the antiangiogenic region of the TSP-1 motif as bait); (Kuno et al. (1997) J Biol Chem 272: 556–562).; Wolfsberg et al., Dev Biol. 1995 May ; 169(1):378–83.; Guilpin et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 273:157–166 (α2-macroglobulin trapping, cleavage of prodomain at the furin site to generate active metalloproteinase); Rosendahl et al., (1997) (J. Biol. Chem. 272:24588–24593)) (TNF α processing). Recombinant assay systems include, but are not limited to, those described in Abbaszade et al., supra; Kuno et al. (1998), supra; Kuno et al. (1999), supra; Tortorella et al., supra; Vasquez et al., supra, and Kuno et al. (1997), supra.

As used herein, the term “TSP activity” or “TSP function,” when used in reference to a protein, means a protein that has one or more activities associated with a TSP e.g., a TSP-1 domain as described herein or otherwise known in the art. For example, TSP domains are involved in cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, outgrowth or angiogenesis. Thus, a 65552 metalloproteinase or fragment or variant having a TSP activity can mediate or modulate cell-cell adhesion (e.g., due to the presence of 65552 metalloproteinase in extracellular matrix), motility/migration, proliferation, outgrowth or angiogenesis, for example. TSP domains also have been implicated in inflammatory conditions and, therefore, a 65552 metalloproteinase or fragment or variant with a TSP domain can participate in a pathway that affects an inflammatory response.

The 65552 metalloproteinase molecules find use in modulating 65552 metalloproteinase function, activity, or expression, or related responses to metalloproteinase function, activity or expression. As used herein, the term “modulate” or grammatical variations thereof means increasing or decreasing an activity, function, signal or response. That is, the 65552 metalloproteinase molecules of the invention affect the targeted activity in either a positive or negative fashion (e.g., increase or decrease activity, function, or signal). Accordingly, the 65552 molecules can act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for controlling metalloproteinase disorders.

Thus, 65552 molecules described herein can act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for prognosticating, modulating, diagnosing, preventing, inhibiting, alleviating, or treating metalloproteinase-associated disorders.

As used herein, a “metalloproteinase-associated disorder” (MMP-associated disorder) includes a disorder, disease or condition which is characterized by a misregulation of a metalloproteinase mediated activity or by an abnormal metalloproteinase mediated activity. Metalloproteinase-associated disorders can detrimentally affect cell proliferation, cell adhesion, cell motility and migration, tissue structural integrity (e.g., connective tissue formation and maintenance), inflammatory response, erythroid cell activity, gene expression; or angiogenesis and vascularization, among others. Thus, examples of metalloproteinase associated disorders in which the 65552 molecules of the invention can be directly or indirectly involved include cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders; disorders associated with undesirable or deficient vascularization/angiogenesis; disorders associated with undesirable or deficient cell adhesion, motility or migration, including, e.g., metastasis; disorders associated with undesirable or deficient tissue structural integrity; disorders associated with undesirable extracellular matrix accumulation, e.g., characterized by fibrosis or a scar; inflammatory disorders, erythroid cell associated disorders; gene expression disorders; and bleeding/clotting disorders.

The 65552 metalloproteinase molecules also find use in diagnosis of disorders involving an increase or decrease in 65552 metalloproteinase expression relative to normal expression, such as a proliferative disorder, a differentiative disorder (e.g., cancer), an immune disorder, an erythroid cell-associated disorder; a motility disorder, a vascular disorder, a bleeding or clotting disorder, or a developmental disorder. Thus, where expression or activity of 65552 metalloproteinase is greater or less than normal, this may indicate the presence of or a predisposition towards a 65552 metalloproteinase disorder. The presence of 65552 metalloproteinase RNA or protein, e.g., by hybridization of a 65552 specific probe or with a 65552 specific antibody, can be used to identify the amount of 65552 present in a particular cell or tissue, or other biological sample. 65552 activity (protease activity assays, adhesion assays, binding assays, motility/migration assays, vascularization assays, etc.) can be assessed using the various techniques described herein or otherwise known in the art. Thus, in another embodiment, the invention provides methods and compositions for detection of 65552 metalloproteinase in tissues that normally or do not normally express 65552 metalloproteinase.

The 65552 molecules and modulators thereof can act as novel therapeutic agents for controlling one or more of cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders, cardiovascular disorders, blood vessel disorders as described herein.

Tissue Distribution of 65552 mRNA

TaqMan analysis indicates the highest levels of 65552 expression are in aortic smooth muscle cells, and muscular artery cells. 65552 is also expressed in adipose tissue, human umbilical vein epithelial cells, diseased aorta cells, and cells of the vein

Human 65577

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a novel gene, referenced to herein as 65577, which encodes a matrix metalloprotease (also referred to herein as a matrix metalloproteinase, or an MMP), which is a member of the reprolysin (M12B) subfamily of the M12 family of metalloproteinase.

The human 65577 cDNA sequence which is approximately 3445 nucleotide residues long including un-translated regions, contains a predicted methionine-initiated coding sequence of about 3243 nucleotide residues, excluding termination codon (i.e., nucleotide residues 83–3325 of SEQ ID NO:86; 1–3243 of SEQ ID NO:88). The coding sequence encodes a 1081 amino acid protein having the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:87.

The 65577 protein contains a significant number of structural characteristics in common with members of the reprolysin (M12B) subfamily of MMPs. Like other members of this subfamily of MMPs, the 65577 proteins of the invention can include a peptidase M12B-propeptide domain having a sequence motif similar to the cysteine switch motif of the matrixins, and a reprolysin-like domain containing a zinc binding site (e.g., HEXXH; SEQ ID NO:84). Unlike the other members of the reprolysin (M12B) subfamily of MMPs, the 65577 proteins of the invention do not include an EGF-like domain, or a disintigrin domain.

The term “family” when referring to the protein and nucleic acid molecules of the invention means two or more proteins or nucleic acid molecules having a common structural domain or motif and having sufficient amino acid or nucleotide sequence homology as defined herein. Such family members can be naturally or non-naturally occurring and can be from either the same or different species. For example, a family can contain a first protein of human origin as well as other distinct proteins of human origin, or alternatively, can contain homologues of non-human origin, e.g., matrix metalloprotease proteins for any species described in the art (e.g., Steiner et al. (1995) Mol. Microbiol. 16:825–834, and references cited therein). Members of a family can also have common functional characteristics.

Metalloproteases are a group of highly diverse, widely distributed proteolytic enzymes that depend on bound Ca²⁺ or Zn²⁺ for activity. Certain metalloproteases can readily utilize Mn²⁺ and Mg²⁺ as well. About 30 families of metalloproteases are recognized, about half of which comprise enzymes containing the HEXXH motif (Rawlings et al. (1995) Meth Enzymol 248:183–228) (SEQ ID NO:84). The most thoroughly characterized of the metalloproteases is thermolysin, a member of the M4 metalloprotease family.

Another metalloprotease family, the M12 family, contains the reprolysin (M12B) subfamily, which contains the snake venom metalloproteases and adamalysins family. The known members of the reprolysin subfamily mostly lack essential peptidase active sites, but typically contain a putative zinc-chelating sequence HELGHNLGMKH (SEQ ID NO:93), characteristic for the reprolysin family of zinc-metalloproteinases. The reprolysin family also contains six cysteine residues in standard positions for this group of proteins suggesting disulfide bonding (Leonardi A J et al. (1999) Chromatogrphy; 852 (1):237–43). These include BRCA1, a human breast cancer-associated protein, and mammalian fertilin.

In addition, there is a propeptide region for members of the peptidase family M12B. The propeptide contains a sequence motif similar to the “cysteine switch” of the matrixins. Matrix metalloproteinases” are expressed as latent proenzymes that are activated by proteolytic cleavage that triggers a conformational change in the propeptide (cysteine switch) model, in which coordination of Zn²⁺ in the active site of the catalytic domain by a cysteine residue in the prodomain is critical for inhibition of the protease. (Overgaard et al. (1999) J Biol. Chem, 7:274(19):13427–33).

In general, the biological functions of metalloproteases include protein maturation, degradation of proteins, such as extracellular matrix proteins, tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis, among others. Thus, metalloproteases are likely to play important roles in a wide range of diseases including, but not limited to, cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and a variety of inflammatory conditions other normal and pathological processes in which matrix metalloproteinase-catalyzed changes in extracellular matrix protein structures have been implicated are described, for example in Nagase et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274:21491–21494. Accordingly, metalloproteases are an important target for drug action and development. Therefore, it is valuable to the field of pharmaceutical development to identify and characterize previously unknown metalloproteases.

65577 proteins of the invention can have signal sequences. As used herein, a “signal sequence” includes a peptide of at least about 40 or 50 amino acid residues in length which occurs at the N-terminus of secretory and membrane-bound proteins and which contains at least about 70% hydrophobic amino acid residues such as alanine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, proline, tyrosine, tryptophan, or valine. In a preferred embodiment, a signal sequence contains at least about 20 to 60 amino acid residues, preferably about 30–50 amino acid residues, more preferably about 47 amino acid residues, and has at least about 60–80%, more preferably 65–75%, and more preferably at least about 70% hydrophobic residues. A signal sequence serves to direct a protein containing such a sequence to a lipid bilayer. Thus, in one embodiment, a 65577 protein contains a signal sequence at about amino acids 1 to 47 of SEQ ID NO:87. The signal sequence is cleaved during processing of the mature protein.

In one embodiment, a 65577 protein exists in a mature form which does not include a signal sequence (e.g., in a form which does not include residues 1 to about 47 of SEQ ID NO:87). In this embodiment, the 65577 protein can have a length of about 1035 (e.g., 1027, 1028, 1029, 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035, 1036, 1037) amino acid residues, corresponding to a protein having an amino terminus at about residue 48 and having a carboxyl terminus at about residue 1081 of SEQ ID NO:87.

In another embodiment, rather than a signal sequence at about residues 1 to 47 of SEQ ID NO:87, a 65577 protein may include at least one transmembrane domain at about amino acid residues 31 to 47 of SEQ ID NO:87. As used herein, the term “transmembrane domain” includes an amino acid sequence of about 5 amino acid residues in length that spans the plasma membrane. More preferably, a transmembrane domain includes about at least 10, 15, 20 or 22 amino acid residues and spans a membrane. Transmembrane domains are rich in hydrophobic residues, and typically have an alpha-helical structure. In a preferred embodiment, at least, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or 100% or more of the amino acids of a transmembrane domain are hydrophobic, e.g., leucines, isoleucines, tyrosines, or tryptophans. Transmembrane domains are described in, for example, Zagotta W. N. et al. (1996) Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 19: 235–263, the:contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Thus, amino acid residues 31 to 47, 153–169 and 331–347 of SEQ ID NO:87 can alternatively comprise transmembrane domains in a 65577 protein.

A human 65577 polypeptide can also include various other domains or regions. A 65577 polypeptide can also include a peptidase M12B propeptide domain. As used herein, the term “peptidase M12B propeptide domain” refers to a protein domain having an amino acid sequence of about 40–160 amino acid residues in length, preferably between about 60–150 amino acid residues, more preferably between about 80–130 amino acid residues, and even more preferably between about 100–120 amino acid residues, and a bit score of about 30 or greater, preferably 40 or greater, and most preferably 50 or greater, and an E-value of about 2.3e–10 or less, more preferably about 2.3e–11 or less, and most preferably about 2.3e–12 or less when aligned with a M12B peptidase propeptide domain (SEQ ID NO:89) derived from a hidden Markov model (HMM) with PFAM (PFAM Accession No. PF01562. The M12B propeptide domain in 65577 has a bit score of 57.8, and an e-value of 2.3e–13 when aligned to this consensus sequence. An alignment of the 65577 protein with consensus peptidase M12B propeptide amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:89) (PFAM Accession No. PF01562) derived from a hidden Markov model shows that a peptidase M12B propeptide domain of 65577 appears at about residues 109–234 of SEQ ID NO:87.

In a preferred embodiment, a 65577 polypeptide or protein has a peptidase M12B propeptide domain or a region which includes at least about 50–175 amino acids, preferably about 75–150 amino acids, more preferably about 100–125 amino acids, even more preferably about 110–120 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% identity with a peptidase M12B propeptide domain, e.g., the peptidase M12B propeptide domain of human 65577 (e.g., residues 109–234 of SEQ ID NO:87).

The peptidase M12B propeptide domain contains conserved cysteines, any one of which can be involved in the “cysteine switch” mechanism of action of these family members. It is believed that metalloproteinases exist in a latent form. Evidence suggests that this latency is the result of formation of an intramolecular complex between the single cysteine residue in its propeptide domain (referred to herein as the peptidase M12B propeptide domain) and the essential zinc atom in the catalytic domain (referred to herein as a reprolysin-like domain), a complex that blocks the active site. Latent metalloproteinase in the presence-of matrix degrading enzyme (i.e. collagenase) can be activated by multiple means, all of which effect the dissociation of the cysteine residue from the complex. This is referred to as the “cysteine-switch” mechanism of activation. The reprolysin-like domain contains the typical HEXXH motif (SEQ ID NO:84), characteristic of enzymes that cleave peptides. The histidines are positioned close together and act as zinc ligands, that are required for catalysis. The propeptide domain that contains the critical cysteine residue, and the catalytic domain that contains the zinc-binding site are the only two domains common to all of the MMPs. The amino acid sequences surrounding both the critical cysteine residue and a region of the protein chains containing two of the putative histidine zinc-binding ligands are highly conserved in all of the MMPs. (Van Wart et al., (1990) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA; 87(14):5578–82).

To identify the presence of a peptidase M12B propeptide domain profiles in a 65577 protein, the amino acid sequence of the protein is searched against a database of HMMs (e.g., the Pfam database, release 2.1) using the default parameters. For example, the hmmsf program, which is available as part of the HMMER package of search programs, is a family specific default program for MWLPAT0063 and score of 15 is the default threshold score for determining a hit.

For further characterization of 65577 molecule of the invention as a matrix metalloprotease, the peptide sequence is searched against a database of proteins. An alignment of amino acid residues 1–1081 of human 65577 (SEQ ID NO:87) with amino acid residues 1–1235 of a human metalloproteinase (SEQ ID NO:91) (TrEMBL:O95428) demonstrates that these sequences are 19.0% identical using a BLOSUM 50 scoring matrix and gap penalties of −12/2.

A 65577 protein can also include a reprolysin-like domain, which is the catalytic domain of the protein. As used herein, the term “reprolysin-like domain” refers to a protein domain having an amino acid sequence of about 100–300 amino-acid residues in length, preferably about 150–250 amino acid residues, more preferably about 175–225 amino acid residues, and even more preferably about 205–220 amino acid residues, and has a bit score of −50 or greater, preferably −40 or greater, and most preferably −30 or greater, and an E-value of about 1.8 e–3 or less, more preferably about 1.8 e–4 or less, and most preferably about 1.8–5 or less when aligned with a consensus reprolysin amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:90) from a hidden Markov model (HMM) within PFAM (PFAM Accession No. PF01421). The reprolysin-like domain in 65577 as predicted by PFAM has a bit score of −28.2, and and E value of 1.8e–6. An alignment of the 65577 protein with the consensus reprolysin amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:90) within PFAM (PFAM Accession No. PF01421) shows that a reprolysin-like domain of 65577 appears at residues 295 to 497 of SEQ ID NO:87.

The reprolysin-like domain typically includes the following consensus sequence: [GSTALIVN]-x(2)-H-E-[LIVMFYW]-{DEHRKP}-H-x-[LIVMFYWGSPQ] (SEQ ID NO:92) (PROSITE Pattern PDOC00129).

In this consensus sequence pattern, each element in the pattern is separated by a dash (-); square [ ] brackets indicate the particular residues that are accepted at that position; x indicates any residue is accepted at that position; a whole number in parenthesis following an x indicates any amino acid repetition of a particular element is accepted for that specified number of residues i.e. x(2); { } brackets indicate that the particular amino acid in that position can be any except those enclosed in the bracket.

The 65577 polypeptide of the invention contains a reprolysin-like consensus sequence at amino acid residues 432 to 441 of SEQ ID NO:87 which represents 90% of the reprolysin consensus pattern described in PROSITE pattern PDOC00129. The reprolysin consensus sequence of the 65577 polypeptide differs at amino acid residue 437 of SEQ ID NO:87, wherein an “S” is substituted for any of the “LIVMFY or W” residues characteristic of this sequence. The two histidines in this consensus sequence bind zinc and are part of the conserved HEXXH motif (SEQ ID NO:84). The HEXXH motif is located at about amino acid residues 435 to 439 of SEQ ID NO:87.

In a preferred embodiment, a 65577 polypeptide or protein has a reprolysin-like domain or a region which includes at least about 90–270 amino acids, preferably about 135–225 amino acids, more preferably about 155–200 amino acids, even more preferably about 175–185 amino acid residues and has at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% identity with a reprolysin domain, e.g., the reprolysin-like domain of human 65577 (e.g., residues 295 to 497 of SEQ ID NO:87).

The reprolysin domain is characteristic of extracellular metalloproteases, such as collagenase and stromelysin, which degrade the extracellular matrix. The members of this family are enzymes that cleave peptides. These proteases require zinc for catalysis, ligands for which can be histidine residues. Members of this family containing the reprolysin domain are also known as adamalysins.

To identify the presence of a reprolysin-like domain profile in a 65577 protein, the amino acid sequence of the protein is searched against a database of HMMs (e.g., the Pfam database, release 2.1) using the default parameters. For example, the hmmsf program, which is available as part of the HMMER package of search programs, is a family, specific default program for MILPAT0063 and score of 15 is the default threshold score for determining a hit.

The human 65577 protein has six predicted N-glycosylation sites (Pfam Accession number PS00001) at about amino acid residues 151–154, 190–193, 313–316, 744–747, 837–840, and 908–911 of SEQ ID NO:87; one cAMP and cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation sites (PFAM Accession Number PS00004) at about amino acid residues 86–89 of SEQ ID NO:87; fourteen predicted protein kinase C phosphorylation sites (PFAM Accession Number PS00005) at about amino acid residues 135–137, 171–173, 220–222, 279–281, 289–291, 395–397, 453–455, 630–623, 697–699, 746–748, 794–796, 870–872, 913–915 and 952–954 of SEQ ID NO:87; nine predicted casein kinase II phosphorylation sites (PFAM Accession Number PS00006) located at about amino acid residues 65–68, 206–209, 389–392, 420–423, 676–676, 816–819, 1020–1023, 1024–1027 and 1059–1062 of SEQ ID NO:87; one tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site (PFAM Accession Number PS00007) at about amino acid residues 263–270 of SEQ ID NO:87; sixteen predicted N-myristoylation sites (PFAM Accession Number PS00008) at about amino acid residues 73–78, 131–136, 167–172, 219–224, 312–317, 331–336, 353–358, 426–431, 562–567, 589–584, 738–743, 752–757, 865–870, 890–895, 948–953 and 1041–1046 of SEQ ID NO:87; and three predicted amidation sites (PFAM Accession Number PS00009) at about amino acid residues 83–86, 1254–257 and 378–381 of SEQ ID NO:87.

General information regarding PFAM identifiers, PS prefix and PF prefix domain identification numbers can be found at Sonnhammer et al. (1997) Protein 28:405–420.

In one embodiment of the invention, a 65577 polypeptide includes at least one reprolysin-like domain. In another embodiment, the 65577 polypeptide includes at least one reprolysin-like domain and at least one peptidase M12B propeptide domain. In still another embodiment, the 65577 polypeptide contains at least one reprolysin-like domain, at least one peptidase M12B propeptide domain, and at least one transmembrane domain.

The 65577 molecules of the present invention can further include one or more of the N-glycosylation, cAMP and cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation, protein kinase C phosphorylation, casein kinase II phosphorylation, tyrosine kinase phosphorylation, N-myristoylation, and amidation sites described herein.

Because the 65577 polypeptides of the invention can modulate 65577 activities, they can be used to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents for 65577-mediated or related disorders, as described herein.

As used herein, a “65577 activity,” “biological activity of 65577,” or “functional activity of 65577,” refers to an activity exerted (directly or indirectly) by a 65577 protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule on, for example, a 65577-responsive cell or on a 65577 substrate (e.g., a protein substrate) as determined in vivo or in vitro. In one embodiment, a 65577 activity is a direct activity, such as association with a 65577 target molecule. A “target molecule” or “binding partner” of a 65577 protein is a molecule with which the 65577 protein binds or interacts in nature. In an exemplary embodiment, such a target molecule is a 65577 receptor (e.g. an ECM protein). A 65577 activity can also be an indirect activity, such as a cellular signaling activity mediated by interaction of the 65577 protein with a 65577 receptor.

The 65577 molecules of the present invention have similar biological activities as other MMP family members. For example, the 65577 proteins of the present invention can have (directly or indirectly) any one or more of the following activities: (1) the ability to cleave or modulate the degredation of proteins or peptides of the extracellular matrix in cells of the cardiovascular system. Examples of such cells in which the 65577 molecule can act include arterial cells (e.g., arterial smooth muscle cells (e.g., coronary arterial smooth muscle cells)), and venous cells (e.g., venous smooth muscle cells); (2) the ability to cleave or modulate the degradation of peptides in cells of the central nervous system (e.g., brain cortex, spinal cord (e.g., schwann cells, neuronal cells, and glial cells (e.g., astrocytes)); (3) the ability to catalyze or modulate catalysis of cleavage of covalent bonds within or between amino acid residues, e.g., in ECM, cell-surface, and extracellular proteins; (4) the ability to degrade ECM; (5) the ability to modulate angiogenesis; (6) the ability to modulate neurite growth; (7) the ability to modulate tumor cell invasion or metastasis; (8) the ability to modulate tissue or organ integrity; (9) the ability to modulate wound healing; (10) the ability to modulate endometrial cycling; (11) the ability to modulate hair follicle cycling; (12) the ability to modulate bone remodeling; (13) the ability to modulate ovulation; (14) the ability to modulate embryonic development; and (15) the ability to modulate apoptosis.

Other activities of the 65577 molecules of the invention include the ability to modulate function, survival, morphology, proliferation and/or differentiation of cells of tissues in which 65577 molecules are expressed. Thus, the 65577 molecules can act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for controlling disorders involving aberrant activities of these cells.

Still other activities of the 65577 molecules of the invention include the ability to cleave a protein substrate by hydrolysis of an amide bond. Typically, this ability of the molecules of the invention to cleave a protein substrate depends upon the presence of a metal ion, such as zinc. Thus, a 65577 molecule or subsequence or variant having metalloproteinase activity is capable of cleaving one or more protein substrates in the presence of a metal, e.g., zinc. Thus, a 65577 metalloprotease or subsequence or variant can cleave one or more protein substrates in the presence of zinc.

Activity assays for the metalloproteinase family members, such as 65577 polypeptides, involve any of the known metalloproteinase, reprolysin, or peptidase M12B propeptide activity or functions, as well as activities/functions that may not typically be found in other metalloproteinases. These assays include assays which test the ability to modulate (directly or indirectly) any one or more of the following MMP functions: (1) the ability to cleave or modulate the degradation proteins or peptides of the extracellular matrix in cells of the cardiovascular system. Examples of such cells in which the 65577 molecule can act include arterial cells (e.g., arterial smooth muscle cells (e.g., coronary arterial smooth muscle cells)), and venous cells (e.g., venous smooth muscle cells); (2) the ability to cleave or modulate the degradation of peptides in cells of the central nervous system (e.g., brain cortex, spinal cord (e.g., schwann cells, neuronal cells, and glial cells (e.g. astrocytes)); (3) binding ECM; (4) binding collagen or gelatin; (5) binding integrin; (6) binding zinc or other metals; (7) binding a2-macroglobulin; (8) cleaving specific peptide substrates to produce fragments, affecting cell adhesion; (9) binding heparin or other sulfated glycosaminoglycan, such as heparan sulfate; (10) modulating vascularization or vascular endothelial growth; (11 breaking down cartilage; (12) induceing apoptosis of endothelial cells; (13) suppressing tumor growth; (14) modulating angiogenesis; (15) affecting cellular chemotaxis; (16) affecting cell-cell adhesion or cell-matrix interaction; (17) and any of the other biological or functional properties of these proteins, including, but not limited to, those disclosed herein, and in the references cited herein. Further, assays can relate to changes in the protein, per se, and on the effects of these changes, for example, cleavage of the substrate, activation of the protein following cleavage, etc. Such assays are described in Tang et al. (1999) FEBS Letters 445:223–225 (for example, induction by interleukin I in vitro and by intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide in vivo, as well as effects on cell adhesion, motility, and growth); (Abbaszade et al., (2000) J Biol Chem. 18;275(33):25791–7) (for example, products resulting from cleavage at the Glu-Ala site in cartilage explants and chondrocyte cultures treated with interleukin I and retinoic acid, determination of aggrecan cleaving activity with and without hydroxamate inhibitors); (Kuno and Matsushima (1998) J Biol Chem 273: 13912–13917) (binding to the extracellular matrix, binding to sulfated glycosaminoglycans, binding to heparan sulfate); Kuno et al. (1999) J Biol Chem. June 25;274(26):18821–6 (protease trapping of a2-macroglobulin, furin processing); Tortorella et al. (1999) Science;284(5420):1664–6 (detection of aggrecan fragments, especially by neoepitope antibodies, inhibition of cleavage by ADAM-TS inhibitors, inhibition of pro-MMP activation); Vasquez et al., (1998) J Appl Physiol. October; 85(4):1421–8 (suppression of fibroblast growth factor-2-induced vascularization in the cornea pocket assay and inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane assay, inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, competitive inhibition with endostatin, proliferation of human dermal endothelial cells, use of the antiangiogenic region of the TSP-1 motif as bait); (Kuno et al. (1997) J Biol Chem 272: 556–562); Wolfsberg et al., Dev Biol. (1995) May; 169(1):378–83; Guilpin et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 273:157–166 (α2-macroglobulin trapping, cleavage of prodomain at the furin site to generate active metalloproteinase); Rosendahl et al., (J. Biol. Chem. (1997) 272:24588–24593) (TNF α processing). Recombinant assay systems include, but are not limited to, those described in Abbaszade et al., supra; Kuno et al. (1998), supra; Kuno et al. (1999), supra; Tortorella et al., supra; Vasquez et al., supra, and Kuno et al. (1997), supra.

The 65577-molecules find use in modulating the 65577 activities described herein. As used herein, the term “modulate” or grammatical variations thereof means increasing or decreasing an activity, function, signal or response. That is, the 65577 molecules of the invention affect the targeted activity in either a positive or negative fashion (e.g., increase or decrease activity, function, or signal). Accordingly, the 65577 molecules can act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for controlling disorders involving such activities (e.g., metalloproteinase activities).

Thus, 65577 molecules described herein can act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for prognosticating, modulating, diagnosing, preventing, inhibiting, alleviating, or treating metalloproteinase-associated disorders

As used herein, a “metalloproteinase-associated disorder” (MMP-associated disorder) includes a disorder, disease or condition which is characterized by a misregulation of a metalloproteinase mediated activity or by an abnormal metalloproteinase mediated activity. As used herein, a metalloproteinase mediated activity, is an activity mediated or involving a molecule which can cleave a protien or peptide substrate in the presence of a metal. (e.g., Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺). Metalloproteinase-associated disorders can detrimentally affect cell proliferation, cell adhesion, cell motility and migration, tissue structural integrity (e.g., connective tissue formation and maintenance), inflammatory response, erythroid cell activity, gene expression; or angiogenesis and vascularization, among others. Thus, examples of metalloproteinase-associated disorders in which the 65577 molecules of the invention can be directly or indirectly involved include cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders; disorders associated with undesirable or deficient vascularization/angiogenesis; disorders associated with undesirable or deficient cell adhesion, motility or migration, including, e.g., metastasis; disorders associated with undesirable or deficient tissue structural integrity; disorders associated with undesirable extracellular matrix accumulation, e.g., characterized by fibrosis or a scar; inflammatory disorders, erythroid cell associated disorders; gene expression disorders; and bleeding/clotting disorders.

The 65577 molecules also find use in diagnosis of disorders involving an increase or decrease in 65577 expression relative to normal expression, such as a proliferative disorder, a differentiative disorder (e.g., cancer), an immune disorder, an erythroid cell-associated disorder; a motility disorder, a vascular disorder, a bleeding or clotting disorder, or a developmental disorder. Thus, where expression or activity of 65577 is greater or less than normal, this may indicate the presence of or a predisposition towards a 65577 disorder. The presence of 65577 RNA or protein, e.g., by hybridization of a 65577 specific probe or with a 65577 specific antibody, can be used to identify the amount of 65577 present in a particular cell or tissue, or other biological sample. 65577 activity (protease activity assays, adhesion assays, binding assays, motility/migration assays, vascularization assays, etc.) can be assessed using the various techniques described herein or otherwise known in the art. Thus, in another embodiment, the invention provides methods and compositions for detection of 65577 in tissues that normally or do not normally express 65577.

The 65577 molecules and modulators thereof can act as novel therapeutic agents for controlling one or more of cardiovascular disorders, or neurological disorders as described herein.

Tissue Distribution of 65577 mRNA

TaqMan analysis indicates the highest levels of 65577 expression are in normal artery cells, normal vein cells, aortic and coronary smooth muscle cells, and human umbilical vein cells. Futhermore, the results indicate high levels of expression in brain cortex, and spinal cord. 65577 is also expressed at lower levels in in glial cells, normal ovary cells, and skin cells

Definitions

The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, fragments thereof, and derivatives and other variants of the sequence in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 thereof are collectively referred to as “polypeptides or proteins of the invention” or “27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides or proteins”. Nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides or proteins are collectively referred to as “nucleic acids of the invention” or “27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acids.”

As used herein, the term “nucleic acid molecule” includes DNA molecules (e.g., a cDNA or genomic DNA) and RNA molecules (e.g., an mRNA) and analogs of the DNA or RNA generated, e.g., by the use of nucleotide analogs. The nucleic acid molecule can be single-stranded or double-stranded, but preferably is double-stranded DNA.

The term “isolated or purified nucleic acid molecule” includes nucleic acid molecules which are separated from other nucleic acid molecules which are present in the natural source of the nucleic acid. For example, with regards to genomic DNA, the term “isolated” includes nucleic acid molecules which are separated from the chromosome with which the genomic DNA is naturally associated. Preferably, an “isolated” nucleic acid is free of sequences which naturally flank the nucleic acid (i.e., sequences located at the 5′ and/or 3′ ends of the nucleic acid) in the genomic DNA of the organism from which the nucleic acid is derived. For example, in various embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid molecule can contain less than about 5 kb, 4 kb, 3 kb, 2 kb, 1 kb, 0.5 kb or 0.1 kb of 5′ and/or 3′ nucleotide sequences which naturally flank the nucleic acid molecule in genomic DNA of the cell from which the nucleic acid is derived. Moreover, an “isolated” nucleic acid molecule, such as a cDNA molecule, can be substantially free of other cellular material or culture medium when produced by recombinant techniques, or substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized.

As used herein, the term “hybridizes under low stringency, medium stringency, high stringency, or very high stringency conditions” describes conditions for hybridization and washing. Guidance for performing hybridization reactions can be found in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (1989) John Wiley & Sons, N.Y., 6.3.1–6.3.6, which is incorporated by reference. Aqueous and nonaqueous methods are described in that reference and either can be used. Specific hybridization conditions referred to herein are as follows: 1) low stringency hybridization conditions in 6× sodium chloride/sodium citrate (SSC) at about 45° C., followed by two washes in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at least at 50° C. (the temperature of the washes can be increased to 55° C. for low stringency conditions); 2) medium stringency hybridization conditions in 6×SSC at about 45° C., followed by one or more washes in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 60° C.; 3) high stringency hybridization conditions in 6×SSC at about 45° C., followed by one or more washes in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C.; and preferably 4) very high stringency hybridization conditions are 0.5M sodium phosphate, 7% SDS at 65° C., followed by one or more washes at 0.2×SSC, 1% SDS at 65° C. Very high stringency conditions (4) are the preferred conditions and the ones that should be used unless otherwise specified.

As used herein, a “naturally-occurring” nucleic acid molecule refers to an RNA or. DNA molecule having a nucleotide sequence that occurs in nature (e.g., encodes a natural protein).

As used herein, the terms “gene” and “recombinant gene” refer to nucleic acid molecules which include an open reading frame encoding a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, preferably a mammalian 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, and can further include non-coding regulatory sequences, and introns.

An “isolated” or “purified” polypeptide or protein is substantially free of cellular material or other contaminating proteins from the cell or tissue source from which the protein is derived, or substantially free from chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized. In one embodiment, the language “substantially free” means preparation of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein having less than about 30%, 20%, 10% and more preferably 5% (by dry weight), of non-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein (also referred to herein as a “contaminating protein”), or of chemical precursors or non-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 chemicals. When the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or biologically active portion thereof is recombinantly produced, it is also preferably substantially free of culture medium, i.e., culture medium represents less than about 20%, more preferably less than about 10%, and most preferably less than about 5% of the volume of the protein preparation. The invention includes isolated or purified preparations of at least 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, and 10 milligrams in dry weight.

A “non-essential” amino acid residue is a residue that can be altered from the wild-type sequence of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 (e.g., the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88) without abolishing or more preferably, without substantially altering a biological activity, whereas an “essential” amino acid residue results in such a change. For example, amino acid residues that are conserved among the polypeptides of the present invention, e.g., those present in the conserved domains, are predicted to be particularly unamenable to alteration.

A “conservative amino acid substitution” is one in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art. These families include amino acids with basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan), beta-branched side chains (e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine). Thus, a predicted nonessential amino acid residue in a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein is preferably replaced with another amino acid residue from the same side chain family. Alternatively, in another embodiment, mutations can be introduced randomly along all or part of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 coding sequence, such as by saturation mutagenesis, and the resultant mutants can be screened for 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 biological activity to identify mutants that retain activity. Following mutagenesis of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88, the encoded protein can be expressed recombinantly and the activity of the protein can be determined.

As used herein, a “biologically active portion” of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein includes a fragment of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein which participates in an interaction between a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecule and a non-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecule. Biologically active portions of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein include peptides comprising amino acid sequences sufficiently homologous to or derived from the amino acid sequence of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, e.g., the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87, which include fewer amino acids than the full length 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, and exhibit at least one activity of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. Typically, biologically active portions comprise a domain or motif with at least one activity of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. A biologically active portion of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein can be a polypeptide which is, for example, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 or more amino acids in length. Biologically active portions of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein can be used as targets for developing agents which modulate a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mediated activity.

Calculations of homology or sequence identity (the terms “homology” and “identity” are used interchangeably herein) between sequences are performed as follows:

To determine the percent identity of two amino acid sequences, or of two nucleic acid sequences, the sequences are aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in one or both of a first and a second amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for optimal alignment and non-homologous sequences can be disregarded for comparison purposes). In a preferred embodiment, the length of a reference sequence aligned for comparison purposes is at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 60%, and even more preferably at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% of the length of the reference sequence. The amino acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position (as used herein amino acid or nucleic acid “identity” is equivalent to amino acid or nucleic acid “homology”). The percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences, taking into account the number of gaps, and the length of each gap, which need to be introduced for optimal alignment of the two sequences.

The comparison of sequences and determination of percent identity between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm. In a preferred embodiment, the percent identity between two amino acid sequences is determined using the Needleman and Wunsch (1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48:444–453 algorithm which has been incorporated into the GAP program in the GCG software package using either a Blossum 62 matrix or a PAM250 matrix, and a gap weight of 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, or 4 and a length weight of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In yet another preferred embodiment, the percent identity between two nucleotide sequences is determined using the GAP program in the GCG software package using a NWSgapdna.CMP matrix and a gap weight of 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 and a length weight of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. A particularly preferred set of parameters (and the one that should be used if the practitioner is uncertain about what parameters should be applied to determine if a molecule is within a sequence identity or homology limitation of the invention) are a Blossum 62 scoring matrix with a gap penalty of 12, a gap extend penalty of 4, and a frameshift gap penalty of 5.

The percent identity between two amino acid or nucleotide sequences can be determined using the algorithm of Meyers and Miller ((1989) CABIOS, 4:11–17) which has been incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0), using a PAM120 weight residue table, a gap length penalty of 12 and a gap penalty of 4.

The nucleic acid and protein sequences described herein can be used as a “query sequence” to perform a search against public databases to, for example, identify other family members or related sequences. Such searches can be performed using the NBLAST and XBLAST programs (version 2.0) of Altschul et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403–10. BLAST nucleotide searches can be performed with the NBLAST program, score=100, wordlength=12 to obtain nucleotide sequences homologous to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid molecules of the invention. BLAST protein searches can be performed with the XBLAST program, score=50, wordlength=3 to obtain amino acid sequences homologous to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein molecules of the invention. To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al., (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389–3402. When utilizing BLAST and Gapped BLAST programs, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g., XBLAST and NBLAST) can be used.

Particular 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptides of the present invention have an amino acid sequence substantially identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87. In the context of an amino acid sequence, the term “substantially identical” is used herein to refer to a first amino acid that contains a sufficient or minimum number of amino acid residues that are i) identical to, or ii) conservative substitutions of aligned amino acid residues in a second amino acid sequence such that the first and second amino acid sequences can have a common structural domain and/or common functional activity. For example, amino acid sequences that contain a common structural domain having at least about 60%, or 65% identity, likely 75% identity, more likely 85%, 90%. 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 are termed substantially identical.

In the context of nucleotide sequence, the term “substantially identical” is used herein to refer to a first nucleic acid sequence that contains a sufficient or minimum number of nucleotides that are identical to aligned nucleotides in a second nucleic acid sequence such that the first and second nucleotide sequences encode a polypeptide having common functional activity, or encode a common structural polypeptide domain or a common functional polypeptide activity. For example, nucleotide sequences having at least about 60%, or 65% identity, likely 75% identity, more likely 85%, 90%. 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%,96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88 are termed substantially identical.

“Misexpression or aberrant expression”, as used herein, refers to a non-wild type pattern of gene expression, at the RNA or protein level. It includes: expression at non-wild type levels, i.e., over or under expression; a pattern of expression that differs from wild type in terms of the time or stage at which the gene is expressed, e.g., increased or decreased expression (as compared with wild type) at a predetermined developmental period or stage; a pattern of expression that differs from wild type in terms of decreased expression (as compared with wild type) in a predetermined cell type or tissue type; a pattern of expression that differs from wild type in terms of the splicing size, amino acid sequence, post-transitional modification, or biological activity of the expressed polypeptide; a pattern of expression that differs from wild type in terms of the effect of an environmental stimulus or extracellular stimulus on expression of the gene, e.g., a pattern of increased or decreased expression (as compared with wild type) in the presence of an increase or decrease in the strength of the stimulus.

“Subject”, as used herein, can refer to a mammal, e.g., a human, or to an experimental or animal or disease model. The subject can also be a non-human animal, e.g., a horse, cow, goat, or other domestic animal.

A “purified preparation of cells”, as used herein, refers to, in the case of plant or animal cells, an in vitro preparation of cells and not an entire intact plant or animal. In the case of cultured cells or microbial cells, it consists of a preparation of at least 10% and more preferably 50% of the subject cells.

As used herein, cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders include cancer, e.g., carcinoma, sarcoma, metastatic disorders or hematopoietic neoplastic disorders, e.g., leukemias. A metastatic tumor can arise from a multitude of primary tumor types, including but not limited to those of prostate, colon, lung, breast and liver origin.

As used herein, the term “cancer” (also used interchangeably with the terms, “hyperproliferative” and “neoplastic”) refers to cells having the capacity for autonomous growth, i.e., an abnormal state or condition characterized by rapidly proliferating cell growth. Cancerous disease states may be categorized as pathologic, i.e., characterizing or constituting a disease state, e.g., malignant tumor growth, or may be categorized as non-pathologic, i.e., a deviation from normal but not associated with a disease state, e.g., cell proliferation associated with wound repair. The term is meant to include all types of cancerous growths or oncogenic processes, metastatic tissues or malignantly transformed cells, tissues, or organs, irrespective of histopathologic type or stage of invasiveness. The term “cancer” includes malignancies of the various organ systems, such as those affecting lung, breast, thyroid, lymphoid, gastrointestinal, and genito-urinary tract, as well as adenocarcinomas which include malignancies such as most colon cancers, renal-cell carcinoma, prostate cancer and/or testicular tumors, non-small cell carcinoma of the lung, cancer of the small intestine and cancer of the esophagus. The term “carcinoma” is art recognized and refers to malignancies of epithelial or endocrine tissues including respiratory system carcinomas, gastrointestinal system carcinomas, genitourinary system carcinomas, testicular carcinomas, breast carcinomas, prostatic carcinomas, endocrine system carcinomas, and melanomas. Exemplary carcinomas include those forming from tissue of the cervix, lung, prostate, breast, head and neck, colon and ovary. The term “carcinoma” also includes carcinosarcomas, e.g., which include malignant tumors composed of carcinomatous and sarcomatous tissues. An “adenocarcinoma” refers to a carcinoma derived from glandular tissue or in which the tumor cells form recognizable glandular structures. The term “sarcoma” is art recognized and refers to malignant tumors of mesenchymal derivation.

Examples of cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders of the lung include, but are not limited to, tumors such as bronchogenic carcinoma, including paraneoplastic syndromes, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, such as bronchial carcinoid, miscellaneous tumors, metastatic tumors, and pleural tumors, including solitary fibrous tumors (pleural fibroma) and malignant mesothelioma.

Examples of cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders of the breast include, but are not limited to, proliferative breast disease including, e.g., epithelial hyperplasia, sclerosing adenosis, and small duct papillomas; tumors, e.g., stromal tumors such as fibroadenoma, phyllodes tumor, and sarcomas, and epithelial tumors such as large duct papilloma; carcinoma of the breast including in situ (noninvasive) carcinoma that includes ductal carcinoma in situ (including Paget's disease) and lobular carcinoma in situ, and invasive (infiltrating) carcinoma including, but not limited to, invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, colloid (mucinous) carcinoma, tubular carcinoma, and invasive papillary carcinoma, and miscellaneous malignant neoplasms. Disorders in the male breast include, but are not limited to, gynecomastia and carcinoma.

Examples of cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorders involving the colon include, but are not limited to, tumors of the colon, such as non-neoplastic polyps, adenomas, familial syndromes, colorectal carcinogenesis, colorectal carcinoma, and carcinoid tumors.

Examples of cancers or neoplastic conditions, in addition to the ones described above, include, but are not limited to, a fibrosarcoma, myosarcoma, liposarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma, chordoma, angiosarcoma, endotheliosarcoma, lymphangiosarcoma, lymphangioendotheliosarcoma, synovioma, mesothelioma, Ewing's tumor, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, rectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer, cancer of the head and neck, skin cancer, brain cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous gland carcinoma, papillary carcinoma, papillary adenocarcinoma, cystadenocarcinoma, medullary carcinoma, bronchogenic carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, hepatoma, bile duct carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, Wilm's tumor, cervical cancer, testicular cancer, small cell lung carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, bladder carcinoma, epithelial carcinoma, glioma, astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, pinealoma, hemangioblastoma, acoustic neuroma, oligodendroglioma, meningioma, melanoma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, leukemia, lymphoma, or Kaposi sarcoma.

Proliferative disorders include hematopoietic neoplastic disorders. As used herein, the term “hematopoietic neoplastic disorders” includes diseases involving hyperplastic/neoplastic cells of hematopoietic origin, e.g., arising from myeloid, lymphoid or erythroid lineages, or precursor cells thereof. Preferably, the diseases arise from poorly differentiated acute leukemias, e.g., erythroblastic leukemia and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia. Additional exemplary myeloid disorders include, but are not limited to, acute promyeloid leukemia (APML), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) (reviewed in Vaickus (1991) Crit Rev. in Oncol./Hemotol. 11:267–97); lymphoid malignancies include, but are not limited to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) which includes B-lineage ALL and T-lineage ALL, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL), hairy cell leukemia (HLL) and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM). Additional forms of malignant lymphomas include, but are not limited to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and variants thereof, peripheral T cell lymphomas, adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), large granular lymphocytic leukemia (LGF), Hodgkin's disease and Reed-Sternberg disease.

As used herein, an “angiogenesis disorder” includes a disease or disorder which affects or is caused by aberrant or deficient angiogenesis. Disorders involving angiogenesis include, but are not limited to, aberrant or excess angiogenesis in tumors such as hemangiomas and Kaposi's sarcoma, von Hippel-Lindau disease, as well as the angiogenesis associated with tumor growth; aberrant or excess angiogenesis in diseases such as a Castleman's disease or fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva; aberrant or deficient angiogenesis associated with aging, complications of healing certain wounds and complications of diseases such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis; or aberrant or deficient angiogenesis associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, myelodysplastic syndrome or Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome.

As used herein, disorders of the breast include, but are not limited to, disorders of development; inflammations, including but not limited to, acute mastitis, periductal mastitis, periductal mastitis (recurrent subareolar abscess, squamous metaplasia of lactiferous ducts), mammary duct ectasia, fat necrosis, granulomatous mastitis, and pathologies associated with silicone breast implants; fibrocystic changes; proliferative breast disease including, but not limited to, epithelial hyperplasia, sclerosing adenosis, and small duct papillomas; tumors including, but not limited to, stromal tumors such as fibroadenoma, phyllodes tumor, and sarcomas, and epithelial tumors such as large duct papilloma; carcinoma of the breast including in situ (noninvasive) carcinoma that includes ductal carcinoma in situ (including Paget's disease) and lobular carcinoma in situ, and invasive (infiltrating) carcinoma including, but not limited to, invasive ductal carcinoma, no special type, invasive lobular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, colloid (mucinous) carcinoma, tubular carcinoma, and invasive papillary carcinoma, and miscellaneous malignant neoplasms. Disorders in the male breast include, but are not limited to, gynecomastia and carcinoma.

As used herein, disorders involving the colon include, but are not limited to, congenital anomalies, such as atresia and stenosis, Meckel diverticulum, congenital aganglionic megacolon-Hirschsprung disease; enterocolitis, such as diarrhea and dysentery, infectious enterocolitis, including viral gastroenteritis, bacterial enterocolitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, antibiotic-associated colitis (pseudomembranous colitis), and collagenous and lymphocytic colitis, miscellaneous intestinal inflammatory disorders, including parasites and protozoa, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, transplantation, drug-induced intestinal injury, radiation enterocolitis, neutropenic colitis (typhlitis), and diversion colitis; idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis; tumors of the colon, such as non-neoplastic polyps, adenomas, familial syndromes, colorectal carcinogenesis, colorectal carcinoma, and carcinoid tumors.

As used herein, disorders involving the kidney include, but are not limited to, congenital anomalies including, but not limited to, cystic diseases of the kidney, that include but are not limited to, cystic renal dysplasia, autosomal dominant (adult) polycystic kidney disease, autosomal recessive (childhood) polycystic kidney disease, and cystic diseases of renal medulla, which include, but are not limited to, medullary sponge kidney, and nephronophthisis-uremic medullary cystic disease complex, acquired (dialysis-associated) cystic disease, such as simple cysts; glomerular diseases including pathologies of glomerular injury that include, but are not limited to, in situ immune complex deposition, that includes, but is not limited to, anti-GBM nephritis, Heymann nephritis, and antibodies against planted antigens, circulating immune complex nephritis, antibodies to glomerular cells, cell-mediated immunity in glomeruloneptritis, activation of alternative complement pathway, epithelial cell injury, and pathologies involving mediators of glomerular injury including cellular and soluble mediators, acute glomerulonephritis, such as acute proliferative (poststreptococcal, postinfectious) glomerulonephritis, including but not limited to, poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and nonstreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis, rapidly progressive (crescentic) glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, membranous glomerulonephritis (membranous nephropathy), minimal change disease (lipoid nephrosis), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy (Berger disease), focal proliferative and necrotizing glomerulonephritis (focal glomerulonephritis), hereditary nephritis, including but not limited to, Alport syndrome and thin membrane disease (benign familial hematuria), chronic glomerulonephritis, glomerular lesions associated with systemic disease, including but not limited to, systemic lupus erythematosus, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, bacterial endocarditis, diabetic glomerulosclerosis, amyloidosis, fibrillary and immunotactoid glomerulonephritis, and other systemic disorders; diseases affecting tubules and interstitium, including acute tubular necrosis and tubulointerstitial nephritis, including but not limited to, pyelonephritis and urinary tract infection, acute pyelonephritis, chronic pyelonephritis and reflux nephropathy, and tubulointerstitial nephritis induced by drugs and toxins, including but not limited to, acute drug-induced interstitial nephritis, analgesic abuse nephropathy, nephropathy associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and other tubulointerstitial diseases including, but not limited to, urate nephropathy, hypercalcemia and nephrocalcinosis, and multiple myeloma; diseases of blood vessels including benign nephrosclerosis, malignant hypertension and accelerated nephrosclerosis, renal artery stenosis, and thrombotic microangiopathies including, but not limited to, classic (childhood) hemolytic-uremic syndrome, adult hemolytic-uremic. syndrome/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, idiopathic HUS/TTP, and other vascular disorders including, but not limited to, atherosclerotic ischemic renal disease, atheroembolic renal disease, sickle cell disease nephropathy, diffuse cortical necrosis, and renal infarcts; urinary tract obstruction (obstructive uropathy); urolithiasis (renal calculi, stones); and tumors of the kidney including, but not limited to, benign tumors, such as renal papillary adenoma, renal fibroma or hamartoma (renomedullary interstitial cell tumor), angiomyolipoma, and oncocytoma, and malignant tumors, including renal cell carcinoma (hypernephroma, adenocarcinoma of kidney), which includes urothelial carcinomas of renal pelvis.

Examples of disorders of the lung include, but are not limited to, congenital anomalies; atelectasis; diseases of vascular origin, such as pulmonary congestion and edema, including hemodynamic pulmonary edema and edema caused by microvascular injury, adult respiratory distress syndrome (diffuse alveolar damage), pulmonary embolism, hemorrhage, and infarction, and pulmonary hypertension and vascular sclerosis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and bronchiectasis; diffuse interstitial (infiltrative, restrictive) diseases, such as pneumoconioses, sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, desquamative interstitial pneumonitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pulmonary eosinophilia (pulmonary infiltration with eosinophilia), Bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia, diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage syndromes, including Goodpasture syndrome, idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis and other hemorrhagic syndromes, pulmonary involvement in collagen vascular disorders, and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis; complications of therapies, such as drug-induced lung disease, radiation-induced lung disease, and lung transplantation; tumors, such as bronchogenic carcinoma, including paraneoplastic syndromes, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, such as bronchial carcinoid, miscellaneous tumors, and metastatic tumors; pathologies of the pleura, including inflammatory pleural effusions, noninflammatory pleural effusions, pneumothorax, and pleural tumors, including solitary fibrous tumors (pleural fibroma) and malignant mesothelioma.

As used herein, disorders involving the pancreas include those of the exocrine pancreas such as congenital anomalies, including but not limited to, ectopic pancreas; pancreatitis, including but not limited to, acute pancreatitis; cysts, including but not limited to, pseudocysts; tumors, including but not limited to, cystic tumors and carcinoma of the pancreas; and disorders of the endocrine pancreas such as, diabetes mellitus; islet cell tumors, including but not limited to, insulinomas, gastrinomas, and other rare islet cell tumors.

As used herein, disorders involving the ovary include, for example, polycystic ovarian disease, Stein-leventhal syndrome, Pseudomyxoma peritonei and stromal hyperthecosis; ovarian tumors such as, tumors of coelomic epithelium, serous tumors, mucinous tumors, endometeriod tumors, clear cell adenocarcinoma, cystadenofibroma, brenner tumor, surface epithelial tumors; germ cell tumors such as mature (benign) teratomas, monodermal teratomas, immature malignant teratomas, dysgerminoma, endodermal sinus tumor, choriocarcinoma; sex cord-stomal tumors such as, granulosa-theca cell tumors, thecoma-fibromas, androblastomas, hill cell tumors, and gonadoblastoma; and metastatic tumors such as Krukenberg tumors.

As used herein, hormonal disorders and diseases include type I and type II diabetes mellitus, pituitary disorders (e.g., growth disorders), thyroid disorders (e.g., hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), and reproductive or fertility disorders (e.g., disorders which affect the organs of the reproductive system, e.g., the prostate gland, the uterus, or the vagina; disorders which involve an imbalance in the levels of a reproductive hormone in a subject; disorders affecting the ability of a subject to reproduce; and disorders affecting secondary sex characteristic development, e.g., adrenal hyperplasia).

Aberrant expression and/or activity of the molecules of the invention can mediate disorders associated with bone metabolism. “Bone metabolism” refers to direct or indirect effects in the formation or degeneration of bone structures, e.g., bone formation, bone resorption, etc., which can ultimately affect the concentrations in serum of calcium and phosphate. This term also includes activities mediated by the molecules of the invention in bone cells, e.g. osteoclasts and osteoblasts, that can in turn result in bone formation and degeneration. For example, molecules of the invention can support different activities of bone resorbing osteoclasts such as the stimulation of differentiation of monocytes and mononuclear phagocytes into osteoclasts. Accordingly, molecules of the invention that modulate the production of bone cells can influence bone formation and degeneration, and thus can be used to treat bone disorders. Examples of such disorders include, but are not limited to, osteoporosis, osteodystrophy, osteomalacia, rickets, osteitis fibrosa cystica, renal osteodystrophy, osteosclerosis, anti-convulsant treatment, osteopenia, fibrogenesis-imperfecta ossium, secondary hyperparathyrodism, hypoparathyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, cirrhosis, obstructive jaundice, drug induced metabolism, medullary carcinoma, chronic renal disease, rickets, sarcoidosis, glucocorticoid antagonism, malabsorption syndrome, steatorrhea, tropical sprue, idiopathic hypercalcemia and milk fever.

As used herein, “a prostate disorder” refers to an abnormal condition occurring in the male pelvic region characterized by, e.g., male sexual dysfunction and/or urinary symptoms. This disorder may be manifested in the form of genitourinary inflammation (e.g., inflammation of smooth muscle cells) as in several common diseases of the prostate including prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia and cancer, e.g., adenocarcinoma or carcinoma, of the prostate.

Examples of immune, e.g., inflammatory, (e.g. respiratory inflammatory) disorders or diseases include, but are not limited to, autoimmune diseases (including, for example, diabetes mellitus, arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis), multiple sclerosis, encephalomyelitis, myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosis, autoimmune thyroiditis, dermatitis (including atopic dermatitis and eczematous dermatitis), psoriasis, Sjögren's Syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, e.g. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, aphthous ulcer, iritis, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, asthma, allergic asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, vaginitis, proctitis, drug eruptions, leprosy reversal reactions, erythema nodosum leprosum, autoimmune uveitis, allergic encephalomyelitis, acute necrotizing hemorrhagic encephalopathy, idiopathic bilateral progressive sensorineural hearing loss, aplastic anemia, pure red cell anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, polychondritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, chronic active hepatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, idiopathic sprue, lichen planus, Graves' disease, sarcoidosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, uveitis posterior, and interstitial lung fibrosis), graft-versus-host disease, cases of transplantation, and allergy such as, atopic allergy.

As used herein, disorders involving the heart, or “cardiovascular disease” or a “cardiovascular disorder” includes a disease or disorder which affects the cardiovascular system, e.g., the heart, the blood vessels, and/or the blood. A cardiovascular disorder can be caused by an imbalance in arterial pressure, a malfunction of the heart, or an occlusion of a blood vessel, e.g., by a thrombus. A cardiovascular disorder includes, but is not limited to disorders such as arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, ischemia reperfusion injury, restenosis, arterial inflammation, vascular wall remodeling, ventricular remodeling, rapid ventricular pacing, coronary microembolism, tachycardia, bradycardia, pressure overload, aortic bending, coronary artery ligation, vascular heart disease, valvular disease, including but not limited to, valvular degeneration caused by calcification, rheumatic heart disease, endocarditis, or complications of artificial valves; atrial fibrillation, long-QT syndrome, congestive heart failure, sinus node dysfunction, angina, heart failure, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, pericardial disease, including but not limited to, pericardial effusion and pericarditis; cardiomyopathies, e.g., dilated cardiomyopathy or idiopathic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, coronary artery spasm, ischemic disease, arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death, and cardiovascular developmental disorders (e.g., arteriovenous malformations, arteriovenous fistulae, raynaud's syndrome, neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, causalgia/reflex sympathetic dystrophy, hemangioma, aneurysm, cavernous angioma, aortic valve stenosis, atrial septal defects, atrioventricular canal, coarctation of the aorta, ebsteins anomaly, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, interruption of the aortic arch, mitral valve prolapse, ductus arteriosus, patent foramen ovale, partial anomalous pulmonary venous return, pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect, pulmonary atresia without ventricular septal defect, persistance of the fetal circulation, pulmonary valve stenosis, single ventricle, total anomalous pulmonary venous return, transposition of the great vessels, tricuspid atresia, truncus arteriosus, ventricular septal defects). A cardiovascular disease or disorder also can include an endothelial cell disorder.

“Procedural vascular trauma” includes the effects of surgical/medical-mechanical interventions into mammalian vasculature, but does not include vascular trauma due to the organic vascular pathologies listed hereinabove, or to unintended traumas, such as due to an accident. Thus, procedural vascular traumas within the scope of the present treatment method include (1) organ grafting or transplantation, such as transplantation and grafting of heart, kidney, liver and the like, e.g., involving vessel anastomosis; (2) vascular surgery, such as coronary bypass surgery, biopsy, heart valve replacement, atheroectomy, thrombectomy, and the like; (3) transcatheter vascular therapies (TVT) including angioplasty, e.g., laser angioplasty and PTCA procedures discussed hereinbelow, employing balloon catheters, or indwelling catheters; (4) vascular grafting using natural or synthetic materials, such as in saphenous vein coronary bypass grafts, dacron and venous grafts used for peripheral arterial reconstruction, etc.; (5) placement of a mechanical shunt, such as a PTFE hemodialysis shunt used for arteriovenous communications; and (6) placement of an intravascular stent, which may be metallic, plastic or a biodegradable polymer. See U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/389,712, filed Feb. 15, 1995, which is incorporated by reference herein. For a general discussion of implantable devices and biomaterials from which they can be formed, see H. Kambic et al., “Biomaterials in Artificial Organs”, Chem. Eng. News, 30 (Apr. 14, 1986), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Small vessel disease includes, but is not limited to, vascular insufficiency in the limbs, peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy, e.g., diabetic retinopathy.

As used herein, disorders involving the brain include, but are not limited to, disorders involving neurons, and disorders involving glia, such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells, and microglia; cerebral edema, raised intracranial pressure and herniation, and hydrocephalus; malformations and developmental diseases, such as neural tube defects, forebrain anomalies, posterior fossa anomalies, and syringomyelia and hydromyelia; perinatal brain injury; cerebrovascular diseases, such as those related to hypoxia, ischemia, and infarction, including hypotension, hypoperfusion, and low-flow states—global cerebral ischemia and focal cerebral ischemia—infarction from obstruction of local blood supply, intracranial hemorrhage, including intracerebral (intraparenchymal) hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage and ruptured berry aneurysms, and vascular malformations, hypertensive cerebrovascular disease, including lacunar infarcts, slit hemorrhages, and hypertensive encephalopathy; infections, such as acute meningitis, including acute pyogenic (bacterial) meningitis and acute aseptic (viral) meningitis, acute focal suppurative infections, including brain abscess, subdural empyema, and extradural abscess, chronic bacterial meningoencephalitis, including tuberculosis and mycobacterioses, neurosyphilis, and neuroborreliosis (Lyme disease), viral meningoencephalitis, including arthropod-borne (Arbo) viral encephalitis, Herpes simplex virus Type 1, Herpes simplex virus Type 2, Varicella-zoster virus (Herpes zoster), cytomegalovirus, poliomyelitis, rabies, and human immunodeficiency virus 1, including HIV-1 meningoencephalitis (subacute encephalitis), vacuolar myelopathy, AIDS-associated myopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and AIDS in children, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, fungal meningoencephalitis, other infectious diseases of the nervous system; transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (prion diseases); demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis, multiple sclerosis variants, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and acute necrotizing hemorrhagic encephalomyelitis, and other diseases with demyelination; degenerative diseases, such as degenerative diseases affecting the cerebral cortex, including Alzheimer disease and Pick disease, degenerative diseases of basal ganglia and brain stem, including Parkinsonism, idiopathic Parkinson disease (paralysis agitans), progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degenration, multiple system atrophy, including striatonigral degenration, Shy-Drager syndrome, and olivopontocerebellar atrophy, and Huntington disease; spinocerebellar degenerations, including spinocerebellar ataxias, including Friedreich ataxia, and ataxia-telanglectasia, degenerative diseases affecting motor neurons, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neuron disease), bulbospinal atrophy (Kennedy syndrome), and spinal muscular atrophy; inborn errors of metabolism, such as leukodystrophies, including Krabbe disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy, adrenoleukodystrophy, Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, and Canavan disease, mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, including Leigh disease and other mitochondrial encephalomyopathies; toxic and acquired metabolic diseases, including vitamin deficiencies such as thiamine (vitamin B₁) deficiency and vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, neurologic sequelae of metabolic disturbances, including hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and hepatic encephatopathy, toxic disorders, including carbon monoxide, methanol, ethanol, and radiation, including combined methotrexate and radiation-induced injury; tumors, such as gliomas, including astrocytoma, including fibrillary (diffuse) astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme, pilocytic astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, and brain stem glioma, oligodendroglioma, and ependymoma and related paraventricular mass lesions, neuronal tumors, poorly differentiated neoplasms, including medulloblastoma, other parenchymal tumors, including primary brain lymphoma, germ cell tumors, and pineal parenchymal tumors, meningiomas, metastatic tumors, paraneoplastic syndromes, peripheral nerve sheath tumors, including schwannoma, neurofibroma, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (malignant schwannoma), and neurocutaneous syndromes (phakomatoses), including neurofibromotosis, including Type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1) and TYPE 2 neurofibromatosis (NF2), tuberous sclerosis, and Von Hippel-Lindau disease.

As used herein, disorders involving blood vessels include, but are not limited to, responses of vascular cell walls to injury, such as endothelial dysfunction and endothelial activation and intimal thickening; vascular diseases including, but not limited to, congenital anomalies, such as arteriovenous fistula, atherosclerosis, and hypertensive vascular disease, such as hypertension; inflammatory disease—the vasculitides, such as giant cell (temporal) arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, polyarteritis nodosa (classic), Kawasaki syndrome (mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome), microscopic polyanglitis (microscopic polyarteritis, hypersensitivity or leukocytoclastic anglitis), Wegener granulomatosis, thromboanglitis obliterans (Buerger disease), vasculitis associated with other disorders, and infectious arteritis; Raynaud disease; aneurysms and dissection, such as abdominal aortic aneurysms, syphilitic (luetic) aneurysms, and aortic dissection (dissecting hematoma); disorders of veins and lymphatics, such as varicose veins, thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis, obstruction of superior vena cava (superior vena cava syndrome), obstruction of inferior vena cava (inferior vena cava syndrome), and lymphangitis and lymphedema; tumors, including benign tumors and tumor-like conditions, such as hemangioma, lymphangioma, glomus tumor (glomangioma), vascular ectasias, and bacillary angiomatosis, and intermediate-grade (borderline low-grade malignant) tumors, such as Kaposi sarcoma and hemangloendothelioma, and malignant tumors, such as angiosarcoma and hemangiopericytoma; and pathology of therapeutic interventions in vascular disease, such as balloon angioplasty and related techniques and vascular replacement, such as coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

As used herein, disorders involving the testis and epididymis include, but are not limited to, congenital anomalies such as cryptorchidism, regressive changes such as atrophy, inflammations such as nonspecific epididymitis and orchitis, granulomatous (autoimmune) orchitis, and specific inflammations including, but not limited to, gonorrhea, mumps, tuberculosis, and syphilis, vascular disturbances including torsion, testicular tumors including germ cell tumors that include, but are not limited to, seminoma, spermatocytic seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor choriocarcinoma, teratoma, and mixed tumors, tumore of sex cord-gonadal stroma including, but not limited to, Leydig (interstitial) cell tumors and sertoli cell tumors (androblastoma), and testicular lymphoma, and miscellaneous lesions of tunica vaginalis.

As used herein, skeletal muscle disorders include, but are not limited to, muscular dystrophy (e.g., Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, distal muscular dystrophy, and congenital muscular dystrophy), motor neuron diseases (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, infantile progressive spinal muscular atrophy, intermediate spinal muscular atrophy, spinal bulbar muscular atrophy, and adult spinal muscular atrophy), myopathies (e.g., inflammatory myopathies (e.g., dermatomyositis and polymyositis), myotonia congenita, paramyotonia congenita, central core disease, nemaline myopathy, myotubular myopathy, and periodic paralysis), tumors such as rhabdomyosarcoma, and metabolic diseases of muscle (e.g., phosphorylase deficiency, acid maltase deficiency, phosphofructokinase deficiency, debrancher enzyme deficiency, mitochondrial myopathy, carnitine deficiency, carnitine palmityl transferase deficiency, phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency, phosphoglycerate mutase deficiency, lactate dehydrogenase deficiency, and myoadenylate deaminase deficiency).

As used herein, an “endothelial cell disorder” includes a disorder characterized by aberrant, unregulated, or unwanted endothelial cell activity, e.g., proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, or vascularization; or aberrant expression of cell surface adhesion molecules or genes associated with angiogenesis, e.g., TIE-2, FLT and FLK. Endothelial cell disorders include tumorigenesis, tumor metastasis, psoriasis, diabetic retinopathy, endometriosis, Grave's disease, ischemic disease (e.g., atherosclerosis), and chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).

Disorders which can be treated or diagnosed by methods described herein include, but are not limited to, disorders associated with an accumulation in the liver of fibrous tissue, such as that resulting from an imbalance between production and degradation of the extracellular matrix accompanied by the collapse and condensation of preexisting fibers. The methods described herein can be used to diagnose or treat hepatocellular necrosis or injury induced by a wide variety of agents including processes which disturb homeostasis, such as an inflammatory process, tissue damage resulting from toxic injury or altered hepatic blood flow, and infections (e.g., bacterial, viral and parasitic). For example, the methods can be used for the early detection of hepatic injury, such as portal hypertension or hepatic fibrosis. In addition, the methods can be employed to detect liver fibrosis attributed to inborn errors of metabolism, for example, fibrosis resulting from a storage disorder such as Gaucher's disease (lipid abnormalities) or a glycogen storage disease, A1-antitrypsin deficiency; a disorder mediating the accumulation (e.g., storage) of an exogenous substance, for example, hemochromatosis (iron-overload syndrome) and copper storage diseases (Wilson's disease), disorders resulting in the accumulation of a toxic metabolite (e.g., tyrosinemia, fructosemia and galactosemia) and peroxisomal disorders (e.g., Zellweger syndrome). Additionally, the methods described herein can be used for the early detection and treatment of liver injury associated with the administration of various chemicals or drugs, such as for example, methotrexate, isonizaid, oxyphenisatin, methyldopa, chlorpromazine, tolbutamide or alcohol, or which represents a hepatic manifestation of a vascular disorder such as obstruction of either the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile flow or an alteration in hepatic circulation resulting, for example, from chronic heart failure, veno-occlusive disease, portal vein thrombosis or Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Additionally, the molecules of the invention can play an important role in the etiology of certain viral diseases, including but not limited to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Modulators of the activity of the molecules of the invention could be used to control viral diseases. The modulators can be used in the treatment and/or diagnosis of viral infected tissue or virus-associated tissue fibrosis, especially liver and liver fibrosis. Also, such modulators can be used in the treatment and/or diagnosis of virus-associated carcinoma, especially hepatocellular cancer.

As used herein, a “viral pathogen” or “viral pathogen disorder” includes respiratory viral pathogens and their associated disorders include, for example, adenovirus, resulting in upper and lower respiratory tract infections; conjuctivitis and diarrhea; echovirus, resulting in upper respiratory tract infections, pharyngitis and rash; rhinovirus, resulting in upper respiratory tract infections; cosackievirus, resulting in Pleurodynia, herpangia, hand-foot-mouth disease; coronavirus, resulting in upper respiratory tract infections; influenza A and B viruses, resulting in influenza; parainfluenza virus 1–4, resulting in upper and lower respiratory tract infections and croup; respiratory syncytial virus, resulting in bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Digestive viral pathogens and their associated disorders include, for example, mumps virus, resulting in mumps, pancreatitis, and orchitis; rotavirus, resulting in childhood diarrhea; Norwalk Agent, resulting in gastroenteritis; hepatitis A virus, resulting in acute viral hepatitis; hepatitis B virus, hepatitis D virus and hepatitis C virus, resulting in acute or chronic hepatitis; hepatitis E virus, resulting in enterically transmitted hepatitis. Systemic viral pathogens associated with disorders involving skin eruptions include, for example, measles virus, resulting in measles (rubeola); rubella virus, resulting in German measles (rubella); parvovirus, resulting in erythema infectiosum and aplastic anemia; varicella-zoster virus, resulting in chicken pox and shingles; herpes simplex virus 1-associated, resulting in cold sores; and herpes simplex virus 2, resulting in genital herpes. Systemic viral pathogens associated with hematopoietic disorders include, for example, cytomegalovirus, resulting in cytomegalic inclusion disease; Epstein-Barr virus, resulting in mononucleosis; HTLV-1 resulting in adult T-cell leukemia and tropical spastic paraparesis; HTLV-II; and HIV 1 and HIV 2, resulting in AIDS. Arboviral pathogens associated with hemorrhagic fevers include, for example, dengue virus 1–4, resulting in dengue and hemorrhagic fever; yellow fever virus, resulting in yellow fever; Colorado tick fever virus, resulting in Colorado tick fever; and regional hemorrhagic fever viruses, resulting in Bolivian, Argentinian, Lassa fever. Viral pathogens associated with warty growths and other hyperplasias include, for example, papillomavirus, resulting in condyloma and cervical carcinoma; and molluscum virus, resulting in molluscum.contagiosum. Viral pathogens associated with central nervous system disorders include, for example, poliovirus, resulting in poliomyelitis; rabiesvirus, associated with rabies; JC virus, associated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalophathy; and arboviral encephalitis viruses, resulting in Eastern, Western, Venezuelan, St. Louis, or California group encephalitis. Viral pathogens associated with cancer include, for example, human papillomaviruses, implicated in the genesis of several cancers including squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and anogenital region, oral cancer and laryngeal cancers; Epstein-Barr virus, implicated in pathogenesis of the African form of Burkitt lymphoma, B-cell lymphomas, Hodgkin disease, and nasopharyngeal carcinomas; hepatitis B virus, implicated in liver cancer; human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), associated with T-cell leukemia/lymphoma; and the Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV).

Disorders related to reduced platelet number, thrombocytopenia, include idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, including acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, drug-induced thrombocytopenia, HIV-associated thrombocytopenia, and thrombotic microangiopathies: thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

As used herein, neurological disorders include disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system, e.g., cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders, Examples of neurological disorders include, but are not limited to, autonomic function disorders such as hypertension and sleep disorders, and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, Korsakoff's psychosis, alcoholism, anxiety disorders, or phobic disorders; learning or memory disorders, e.g., amnesia or age-related memory loss, attention deficit disorder, dysthymic disorder, major depressive disorder, mania, obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychoactive substance use disorders, anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, as well as bipolar affective disorder, e.g., severe bipolar affective (mood) disorder (BP-1), and bipolar affective neurological disorders, e.g., migraine and obesity. Such neurological disorders include, for example, disorders involving neurons, and disorders involving glia, such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells, and microglia; cerebral edema, raised intracranial pressure and herniation, and hydrocephalus; malformations and developmental diseases, such as neural tube defects, forebrain anomalies, posterior fossa anomalies, and syringomyelia and hydromyelia; perinatal brain injury; cerebrovascular diseases, such as those related to hypoxia, ischemia, and infarction, including hypotension, hypoperfusion, and low-flow states—global cerebral ischemia and focal cerebral ischemia—infarction from obstruction of local blood supply, intracranial hemorrhage, including intracerebral (intraparenchymal) hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage and ruptured berry aneurysms, and vascular malformations, hypertensive cerebrovascular disease, including lacunar infarcts, slit hemorrhages, and hypertensive encephalopathy; infections, such as acute meningitis, including acute pyogenic (bacterial) meningitis and acute aseptic (viral) meningitis, acute focal suppurative infections, including brain abscess, subdural empyema, and extradural abscess, chronic bacterial meningoencephalitis, including tuberculosis and mycobacterioses, neurosyphilis, and neuroborreliosis (Lyme disease), viral meningoencephalitis, including arthropod-borne (Arbo) viral encephalitis, Herpes simplex virus Type 1, Herpes simplex virus Type 2, Varicella-zoster virus (Herpes zoster), cytomegalovirus, poliomyelitis, rabies, and human immunodeficiency virus 1, including HIV-1 meningoencephalitis (subacute encephalitis), vacuolar myelopathy, AIDS-associated myopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and AIDS in children, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, fungal meningoencephalitis, other infectious diseases of the nervous system; transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (prion diseases); demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis, multiple sclerosis variants, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and acute necrotizing hemorrhagic encephalomyelitis, and other diseases with demyelination; degenerative diseases, such as degenerative diseases affecting the cerebral cortex, including Alzheimer's disease and Pick's disease, degenerative diseases of basal ganglia and brain stem, including Parkinsonism, idiopathic Parkinson's disease (paralysis agitans) and other Lewy diffuse body diseases, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degenration, multiple system atrophy, including striatonigral degenration, Shy-Drager syndrome, and olivopontocerebellar atrophy, and Huntington's disease, senile dementia, Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy, and Jakob-Creutzfieldt disease; spinocerebellar degenerations, including spinocerebellar ataxias, including Friedreich ataxia, and ataxia-telanglectasia, degenerative diseases affecting motor neurons, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neuron disease), bulbospinal atrophy (Kennedy syndrome), and spinal muscular atrophy; inborn errors of metabolism, such as leukodystrophies, including Krabbe disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy, adrenoleukodystrophy, Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, and Canavan disease, mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, including Leigh disease and other mitochondrial encephalomyopathies; toxic and acquired metabolic diseases, including vitamin deficiencies such as thiamine (vitamin B₁) deficiency and vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, neurologic sequelae of metabolic disturbances, including hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and hepatic encephatopathy, toxic disorders, including carbon monoxide, methanol, ethanol, and radiation, including combined methotrexate and radiation-induced injury; tumors, such as gliomas, including astrocytoma, including fibrillary (diffuse) astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme, pilocytic astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, and brain stem glioma, oligodendroglioma, and ependymoma and related paraventricular mass lesions, neuronal tumors, poorly differentiated neoplasms, including medulloblastoma, other parenchymal tumors, including primary brain lymphoma, germ cell tumors, and pineal parenchymal tumors, meningiomas, metastatic tumors, paraneoplastic syndromes, peripheral nerve sheath tumors, including schwannoma, neurofibroma, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (malignant schwannoma), and neurocutaneous syndromes (phakomatoses), including neurofibromotosis, including Type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1) and TYPE 2 neurofibromatosis (NF2), tuberous sclerosis, and Von Hippel-Lindau disease. Further CNS-related disorders include, for example, those listed in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the most current version of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As used herein, diseases of the skin, include but are not limited to, disorders of pigmentation and melanocytes, including but not limited to, vitiligo, freckle, melasma, lentigo, nevocellular nevus, dysplastic nevi, and malignant melanoma; benign epithelial tumors, including but not limited to, seborrheic keratoses, acanthosis nigricans, fibroepithelial polyp, epithelial cyst, keratoacanthoma, and adnexal (appendage) tumors; premalignant and malignant epidermal tumors, including but not limited to, actinic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and merkel cell carcinoma; tumors of the dermis, including but not limited to, benign fibrous histiocytoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, xanthomas, and dermal vascular tumors; tumors of cellular immigrants to the skin, including but not limited to, histiocytosis X, mycosis fungoides (cutaneous T-cell lymphoma), and mastocytosis; disorders of epidermal maturation, including but not limited to, ichthyosis; acute inflammatory dermatoses, including but not limited to, urticaria, acute eczematous dermatitis, and erythema multiforme; chronic inflammatory dermatoses, including but not limited to, psoriasis, lichen planus, and lupus erythematosus; blistering (bullous) diseases, including but not limited to, pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis, and noninflammatory blistering diseases: epidermolysis bullosa and porphyria; disorders of epidermal appendages, including but not limited to, acne vulgaris; panniculitis, including but not limited to, erythema nodosum and erythema induratum; and infection and infestation, such as verrucae, molluscum contagiosum, impetigo, superficial fungal infections, and arthropod bites, stings, and infestations.

Additionally, molecules of the invention can play an important role in the regulation of metabolism or pain disorders. Diseases of metabolic imbalance include, but are not limited to, obesity, anorexia nervosa, cachexia, lipid disorders, and diabetes. Examples of pain disorders include, but are not limited to, pain response elicited during various forms of tissue injury, e.g., inflammation, infection, and ischemia, usually referred to as hyperalgesia (described in, for example, Fields (1987) Pain, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill); pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders, e.g., joint pain; tooth pain; headaches; pain associated with surgery; pain related to irritable bowel syndrome; or chest pain.

As used herein, a “hematological disorder” includes a disease, disorder, or condition which affects a hematopoietic cell or tissue. Hematological disorders include diseases, disorders, or conditions associated with aberrant hematological content or function. Hematological disorders can be characterized by a misregulation (e.g., downregulation or upregulation) of activity. Examples of hematological disorders include disorders resulting from bone marrow irradiation or chemotherapy treatments for cancer, disorders such as Pernicious Anemia, Hemorrhagic Anemia, Hemolytic Anemia, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, Sideroblastic Anemia, Anemia associated with chronic infections such as Malaria, Trypanosomiasis, HIV, Hepatitis virus or other viruses, Myelophthisic Anemias caused by marrow deficiencies, renal failure resulting from Anemia, Anemia, Polycethemia, Infectious Mononucleosis (IM), Acute Non-Lymphocytic Leukemia (ANLL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL), Acute Myelomonocytic Leukemia (AMMoL), Polycethemia Vera, Lymphoma, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Wilm's Tumor, Ewing's Sarcoma, Retinoblastoma, Hemophilia, disorders associated with an increased risk of Thrombosis, Herpes, Thalessemia, antibody-mediated disorders such as transfusion reactions and Erythroblastosis, mechanical trauma to red blood cells such as micro-angiopathic hemolytic anemias, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and disseminated intravascular coagulation, infections by parasites such as Plasmodium, chemical injuries from, e.g., lead poisoning, and Hypersplenism.

As used herein, the term “hematopoietic cell” includes yolk sac stem cells, primitive erythroid cells, fetal liver cells, fetal spleen cells, fetal bone marrow cells, non-fetal bone marrow cells, megakaryocytes, stem cells, lymphoid stem cells, myeloid stem cells, progenitor cells, progenitor lymphocytes, progenitor T lymphocytes, progenitor B lymphocytes, progenitor erythrocytes, progenitor neutrophils, progenitor eosinophils, progenitor basophils, progenitor monocytes, progenitor mast cells, progenitor platelets, committed lymphocytes, committed T lymphocytes, committed B lymphocytes, committed erythrocytes, committed neutrophils, committed eosinophils, committed basophils, committed monocytes, committed mast cells, committed platelets, differentiated lymphocytes, differentiated T lymphocytes, differentiated B lymphocytes, differentiated erythrocytes, differentiated neutrophils, differentiated eosinophils, differentiated basophils, differentiated monocytes, differentiated mast cells, differentiated platelets, mature lymphocytes, mature T lymphocytes, mature B lymphocytes, mature erythrocytes, mature neutrophils, mature eosinophils, mature basophils, mature monocytes, mature mast cells, and mature platelets.

As used herein, the term “progenitor cell” includes any somatic cell which has the capacity to generate fully differentiated, functional progeny by differentiation and proliferation. Progenitor cells include progenitors from any tissue or organ system, including, but not limited to, blood, nerve, muscle, skin, gut, bone, kidney, liver, pancreas, thymus, and the like. Progenitor cells are distinguished from “committed cells” and “differentiated cells,” which are defined as those cells which may or may not have the capacity to proliferate, i.e., self-replicate, but which are unable to undergo further differentiation to a different cell type under normal physiological conditions. Moreover, progenitor cells are further distinguished from abnormal cells such as cancer cells, especially leukemia cells, which proliferate (self-replicate) but which generally do not further differentiate, despite appearing to be immature or undifferentiated.

Progenitor cells include all the cells in a lineage of differentiation and proliferation prior to the most differentiated or the fully mature cell. Thus, for example, progenitors include the skin progenitor in the mature individual, which is capable of differentiation to only one type of cell, but which is itself not fully mature or fully differentiated. Production of mature, functional blood cells results from proliferation and differentiation of “unipotential progenitors,” i.e., those progenitors which have the capacity to make only one type of one type of blood cell. For red blood cell production, a progenitor called a “CFU-E” (colony forming unit-erythroid) has the capacity to generate two to 32 progeny cells.

Various other hematopoietic progenitors have been characterized. For example, hematopoietic progenitor cells include those cells which are capable of successive cycles of differentiating and proliferating to yield up to eight different mature hematopoietic cell lineages. At the most primitive or undifferentiated end of the hematopoietic spectrum, hematopoietic progenitor cells include the hematopoietic “stem cells.” These rare cells, which represent 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100,000 of cells in the bone marrow, each have the capacity to generate a billion mature blood cells of all lineages and are responsible for sustaining blood cell production over the life of an animal. They reside in the marrow primarily in a quiescent state and may form identical daughter cells through a process called self-renewal. Accordingly, such an uncommitted progenitor can be described as being “totipotent,” i.e., both necessary and sufficient for generating all types of mature blood cells. Progenitor cells which retain a capacity to generate all blood cell lineages but which can not self-renew are termed “pluripotent.” Cells which can produce some but not all blood lineages and can not self-renew are termed “multipotent.”

As used herein, “hematopoietic cell activity” includes an activity exerted by a hematopoietic cell, or an activity that takes place in a hematopoietic cell. For example, such activities include cellular processes that contribute to the physiological role of hematopoietic cells, such as hematopoiesis, but are not limited to, cell proliferation, differentiation, growth, migration and programmed cell death.

As used herein, the term “erythroid associated disorders” include disorders involving aberrant (increased or deficient) erythroblast proliferation, e.g., an erythroleukemia, and aberrant (increased or deficient) erythroblast differentiation, e.g., an anemia. Erythrocyte-associated disorders include anemias such as, for example, drug (chemotherapy-) induced anemias, hemolytic anemias due to hereditary cell membrane abnormalities, such as hereditary spherocytosis, hereditary elliptocytosis, and hereditary pyropoikilocytosis; hemolytic anemias due to acquired cell membrane defects, such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and spur cell anemia; hemolytic anemias caused by antibody reactions, for example to the RBC antigens, or antigens of the ABO system, Lewis system, Ii system, Rh system, Kidd system, Duffy system, and Kell system; methemoglobinemia; a failure of erythropoiesis, for example, as a result of aplastic anemia, pure red cell aplasia, myelodysplastic syndromes, sideroblastic anemias, and congenital dyserythropoietic anemia; secondary anemia in non-hematolic disorders, for example, as a result of chemotherapy, alcoholism, or liver disease; anemia of chronic disease, such as chronic renal failure; and endocrine deficiency diseases.

Anemias are an important class of disorders which affect erythroid cell growth or differentiation. Anemias include a variety of disorders in which the content of erythrocytes or hemoglobin in the blood is insufficient to fully provide transportation of oxygen for all of the body's needs. Examples of anemias include hemolytic anemias attributable to hereditary cell membrane abnormalities (e.g., hereditary spherocytosis, hereditary elliptocytosis, and hereditary pyropoikilocytosis), hemolytic anemias attributable to acquired cell membrane defects (e.g., paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and spur cell anemia), hemolytic anemias attributable to antibody reactions (e.g., reactions to RBC antigens or antigens of the ABO system, Lewis system, Ii system, Rh system, Kidd system, Duffy system, and Kell system), methemoglobinemia, anemias attributable to a failure of erythropoiesis (e.g., as a result of aplastic anemia, pure red cell aplasia, myelodysplastic syndromes, sideroblastic anemias, or congenital dyserythropoietic anemia), secondary anemia in non-hematological disorders (e.g., anemia attributable to chemotherapy, alcoholism, or liver disease), anemia associated with a chronic disease (e.g., anemia associated with chronic renal failure), anemias attributable to bleeding, and anemia associated with endocrine deficiency diseases. Some of these disorders are known to affect growth or differentiation of erythroid cells.

As used herein, the term “modulate” includes alteration of, e.g., by increasing or decreasing the particular parameter being described.

As used herein, the term “apoptosis” includes programmed cell death which can be characterized using techniques which are known in the art. Apoptotic cell death can be characterized, e.g., by cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing and chromatin condensation culminating in cell fragmentation. Cells undergoing apoptosis also display a characteristic pattern of internucleosomal DNA cleavage.

As used herein, the term “endocrine disorder” includes, but is not limited to, disorders of the pancreas, e.g., diabetes mellitus; islet cell tumors, including but not limited to, insulinomas, gastrinomas, and other rare islet cell tumors, the pituitary, or the hypothalamus.

Various aspects of the invention are described in further detail below.

Isolated Nucleic Acid Molecules

In one aspect, the invention provides, an isolated or purified, nucleic acid molecule that encodes a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide described herein, e.g., a full length 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or a fragment thereof, e.g., a biologically active portion of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. Also included is a nucleic acid fragment suitable for use as a hybridization probe, which can be used, e.g., to identify a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide of the invention, 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA, and fragments suitable for use as primers, e.g., PCR primers for the amplification or mutation of nucleic acid molecules.

In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention includes the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88, or a portion of any of this nucleotide sequence. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule includes sequences encoding the human. 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein (i.e., “the coding region” of SEQ ID NO: 1, 4, 11, 20, 25, 29, 35, 38, 41, 73, 76 or 86, as shown in SEQ ID NO: 3, 6, 13, 22, 27, 31, 37, 40, 43, 75, 78 or 88, respectively), as well as 5′ untranslated sequences and 3′ untranslated sequences. Alternatively, the nucleic acid molecule can include only the coding region of SEQ ID NO: 1, 4, 11, 20, 25, 29, 35, 38, 41, 73, 76 or 86 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 3, 6, 13, 22, 27, 31, 37, 40, 43, 75, 78 or 88) and, e.g., no flanking sequences which normally accompany the subject sequence. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule encodes a sequence corresponding to a fragment of the protein corresponding to conserved domains identified within SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87.

In another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention includes a nucleic acid molecule which is a complement of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88, or a portion of any of these nucleotide sequences. In other embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention is sufficiently complementary to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88 such that it can hybridize to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88, thereby forming a stable duplex.

In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention includes a nucleotide sequence which is at least about: 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more homolo to the entire length of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88, or a portion, preferably of the same length, of any of these nucleotide sequences.

27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 Nucleic Acid Fragments

A nucleic acid molecule of the invention can include only a portion of the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88. For example, such a nucleic acid molecule can include a fragment which can be used as a probe or primer or a fragment encoding a portion of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, e.g., an immunogenic or biologically active portion of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. A fragment can comprise those nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88, which encode a domain of human 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577. The nucleotide sequence determined from the cloning of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene allows for the generation of probes and primers designed for use in identifying and/or cloning other 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 family members, or fragments thereof, as well as 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 homologs, or fragments thereof, from other species.

In another embodiment, a nucleic acid includes a nucleotide sequence that includes part, or all, of the coding region and extends into either (or both) the 5′ or 3′ noncoding region. Other embodiments include a fragment which includes a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid fragment described herein. Nucleic acid fragments can encode a specific domain or site described herein or fragments thereof, particularly fragments thereof which are at least 100 amino acids in length. Fragments also include nucleic acid sequences corresponding to specific amino acid sequences described above or fragments thereof. Nucleic acid fragments should not to be construed as encompassing those fragments that may have been disclosed prior to the invention.

A nucleic acid fragment can include a sequence corresponding to a domain, region, or functional site described herein. A nucleic acid fragment can also include one or more domain, region, or functional site described herein. Thus, for example, a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid fragment can include a sequence corresponding to a domain of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577, as described herein.

27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 probes and primers are provided. Typically a probe/primer is an isolated or purified oligonucleotide. The oligonucleotide typically includes a region of nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under stringent conditions to at least about 7, 12 or 15, preferably about 20 or 25, more preferably about 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, or 75 consecutive nucleotides of a sense or antisense sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88, or of a naturally occurring allelic variant or mutant of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88.

In a preferred embodiment the nucleic acid is a probe which is at least 5 or 10, and less than 200, more preferably less than 100, or less than 50, base pairs in length. It should be identical, or differ by 1, or less than in 5 or 10 bases, from a sequence disclosed herein. If alignment is needed for this comparison the sequences should be aligned for maximum homology. “Looped” out sequences from deletions or insertions, or mismatches, are considered differences.

A probe or primer can be derived from the sense or anti-sense strand of a nucleic acid which encodes a domain identified in the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequences.

In another embodiment a set of primers is provided, e.g., primers suitable for use in a PCR, which can be used to amplify a selected region of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence, e.g., a domain, region, site or other sequence described herein. The primers should be at least 5, 10, or 50 base pairs in length and less than 100, or less than 200, base pairs in length. The primers should be identical, or differ by one base from a sequence disclosed herein or from a naturally occurring variant.

A nucleic acid fragment can encode an epitope bearing region of a polypeptide described herein.

A nucleic acid fragment encoding a “biologically active portion of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide” can be prepared by isolating a portion of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88, which encodes a polypeptide having a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 biological activity (e.g., the biological activities of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins are described herein), expressing the encoded portion of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein (e.g., by recombinant expression in vitro) and assessing the activity of the encoded portion of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. A nucleic acid fragment encoding a biologically active portion of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide, can comprise a nucleotide sequence which is greater than 300 or more nucleotides in length.

In preferred embodiments, a nucleic acid includes a nucleotide sequence which is about 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900, 5000, 5100, 5200, 5300, 5400, 5500, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 6000, 6100, 6200, 6300, 6400, 6500, 6600, 6700, 6800, 6900, 7000, 7100, 7200, or more nucleotides in length and hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a nucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88.

27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 Nucleic Acid Variants

The invention further encompasses nucleic acid molecules that differ from the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88. Such differences can be due to degeneracy of the genetic code (and result in a nucleic acid which encodes the same 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins as those encoded by the nucleotide sequence disclosed herein. In another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention has a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence which differs, by at least 1, but less than 5, 10, 20, 50, or 100 amino acid residues that shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87. If alignment is needed for this comparison the sequences should be aligned for maximum homology. “Looped” out sequences from deletions or insertions, or mismatches, are considered differences.

Nucleic acids of the inventor can be chosen for having codons, which are preferred, or non-preferred, for a particular expression system. E.g., the nucleic acid can be one in which at least one codon, at preferably at least 10%, or 20% of the codons has been altered such that the sequence is optimized for expression in E. coli, yeast, human, insect, or CHO cells.

Nucleic acid variants can be naturally occurring, such as allelic variants (same locus), homologs (different locus), and orthologs (different organism) or can be non naturally occurring. Non-naturally occurring variants can be made by mutagenesis techniques, including those applied to polynucleotides, cells, or organisms. The variants can contain nucleotide substitutions, deletions, inversions and insertions. Variation can occur in either or both the coding and non-coding regions. The variations can produce both conservative and non-conservative amino acid substitutions (as compared in the encoded product).

In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid differs from that of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88, e.g., as follows: by at least one but less than 10, 20, 30, or 40 nucleotides; at least one but less than 1%, 5%, 10% or 20% of the nucleotides in the subject nucleic acid. If necessary for this analysis the sequences should be aligned for maximum homology. “Looped” out sequences from deletions or insertions, or mismatches, are considered differences.

Orthologs, homologs, and allelic variants can be identified using methods known in the art. These variants comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that is 50%, at least about 55%, typically at least about 70–75%, more typically at least about 80–85%, and most typically at least about 90–95% or more identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 or a fragment of this sequence. Such nucleic acid molecules can readily be identified as being able to hybridize under stringent conditions, to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 or a fragment of the sequence. Nucleic acid molecules corresponding to orthologs, homologs, and allelic variants of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 cDNAs of the invention can further be isolated by mapping to the same chromosome or locus as the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene. Preferred variants include those that are correlated with activities specific to the molecules of the invention, i.e. phospholipase activity, serine carboxypeptidase activity, trypsin-like serine protease activity, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, ubiquitin-protein ligase activity, protein kinase activity, hydrolase activity or matrix metalloproteinase activity.

Allelic variants of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577, e.g., human 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577, include both functional and non-functional proteins. Functional allelic variants are naturally occurring amino acid sequence variants of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein within a population that maintain the ability to bind a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 ligand or substrate and/or modulate phospholipase activity, serine carboxypeptidase activity, trypsin-like serine protease activity, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, ubiquitin-protein ligase activity, protein kinase activity, hydrolase activity or matrix metalloproteinase activity. Functional allelic variants will typically contain only conservative substitution of one or more amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87, or substitution, deletion or insertion of non-critical residues in non-critical regions of the protein. Non-functional allelic variants are naturally-occurring amino acid sequence variants of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577, e.g., human 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577, protein within a population that do not have the ability to bind a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 ligand or substrate and/or phospholipase activity, serine carboxypeptidase activity, trypsin-like serine protease activity, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, ubiquitin-protein ligase activity, protein kinase activity, hydrolase activity or matrix metalloproteinase activity. Non-functional allelic variants will typically contain a non-conservative substitution, a deletion, or insertion, or premature truncation of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87, or a substitution, insertion, or deletion in critical residues or critical regions of the protein.

Moreover, nucleic acid molecules encoding other 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 family members and, thus, which have a nucleotide sequence which differs from the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequences of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88 are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

Antisense Nucleic Acid Molecules, Ribozymes and Modified 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 Nucleic Acid Molecules

In another aspect, the invention features, an isolated nucleic acid molecule which is antisense to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577. An “antisense” nucleic acid can include a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to a “sense” nucleic acid encoding a protein, e.g., complementary to the coding strand of a double-stranded cDNA molecule or complementary to an mRNA sequence. The antisense nucleic acid can be complementary to an entire 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 coding strand, or to only a portion thereof (e.g., the coding region of human 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 corresponding to SEQ ID NO:3, 6, 13, 22, 27, 31, 37, 40, 43, 75, 78, 88, respectively). In another embodiment, the antisense nucleic acid molecule is antisense to a “noncoding region” of the coding strand of a nucleotide sequence encoding 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 (e.g., the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions).

An antisense nucleic acid can be designed such that it is complementary to the entire coding region of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA, but more preferably is an oligonucleotide which is antisense to only a portion of the coding or noncoding region of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA. For example, the antisense oligonucleotide can be complementary to the region surrounding the translation start site of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA, e.g., between the −10 and +10 regions of the target gene nucleotide sequence of interest. An antisense oligonucleotide can be, for example, about 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, or more nucleotides in length.

An antisense nucleic acid of the invention can be constructed using chemical synthesis and enzymatic ligation reactions using procedures known in the art. For example, an antisense nucleic acid (e.g., an antisense oligonucleotide) can be chemically synthesized using naturally occurring nucleotides or variously modified nucleotides designed to increase the biological stability of the molecules or to increase the physical stability of the duplex formed between the antisense and sense nucleic acids, e.g., phosphorothioate derivatives and acridine substituted nucleotides can be used. The antisense nucleic acid also can be produced biologically using an expression vector into which a nucleic acid has been subcloned in an antisense orientation (i.e., RNA transcribed from the inserted nucleic acid will be of an antisense orientation to a target nucleic acid of interest, described further in the following subsection).

The antisense nucleic acid molecules of the invention are typically administered to a subject (e.g., by direct injection at a tissue site), or generated in situ such that they hybridize with or bind to cellular mRNA and/or genomic DNA encoding a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein to thereby inhibit expression of the protein, e.g., by inhibiting transcription and/or translation. Alternatively, antisense nucleic acid molecules can be modified to target selected cells and then administered systemically. For systemic administration, antisense molecules can be modified such that they specifically or selectively bind to receptors or antigens expressed on a selected cell surface, e.g., by linking the antisense nucleic acid molecules to peptides or antibodies which bind to cell surface receptors or antigens. The antisense nucleic acid molecules can also be delivered to cells using the vectors described herein. To achieve sufficient intracellular concentrations of the antisense molecules, vector constructs in which the antisense nucleic acid molecule is placed under the control of a strong pol II or pol III promoter are preferred.

In yet another embodiment, the antisense nucleic acid molecule of the invention is an α-anomeric nucleic acid molecule. An α-anomeric nucleic acid molecule forms specific double-stranded hybrids with complementary RNA in which, contrary to the usual β-units, the strands run parallel to each other (Gaultier et al. (1987) Nucleic Acids. Res. 15:6625–6641). The antisense nucleic acid molecule can also comprise a 2′-o-methylribonucleotide (Inoue et al. (1987) Nucleic Acids Res. 15:6131–6148) or a chimeric RNA-DNA analogue (Inoue et al. (1987) FEBS Lett. 215:327–330).

In still another embodiment, an antisense nucleic acid of the invention is a ribozyme. A ribozyme having specificity for a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-encoding nucleic acid can include one or more sequences complementary to the nucleotide sequence of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 cDNA disclosed herein (i.e., SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86or 88), and a sequence having known catalytic sequence responsible for mRNA cleavage (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,246 or Haselhoff and Gerlach (1988) Nature 334:585–591). For example, a derivative of a Tetrahymena L-19 IVS RNA can be constructed in which the nucleotide sequence of the active site is complementary to the nucleotide sequence to be cleaved in a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-encoding mRNA. See, e.g., Cech et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,071; and Cech et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,742. Alternatively, 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA can be used to select a catalytic RNA having a specific ribonuclease activity from a pool of RNA molecules. See, e.g., Bartel and Szostak (1993) Science 261:1411–1418.

27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene expression can be inhibited by targeting nucleotide sequences complementary to the regulatory region of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 (e.g., the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 promoter and/or enhancers) to form triple helical structures that prevent transcription of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene in target cells. See generally, Helene (1991) Anticancer Drug Des. 6:569–84; Helene (1992) Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 660:27–36; and Maher (1992) Bioassays 14:807–15. The potential sequences that can be targeted for triple helix formation can be increased by creating a so-called “switchback” nucleic acid molecule. Switchback molecules are synthesized in an alternating 5′-3′, 3′-5′ manner, such that they base pair with first one strand of a duplex and then the other, eliminating the necessity for a sizeable stretch of either purines or pyrimidines to be present on one strand of a duplex.

The invention also provides detectably labeled oligonucleotide primer and probe molecules. Typically, such labels are chemiluminescent, fluorescent, radioactive, or colorimetric.

A 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid molecule can be modified at the base moiety, sugar moiety or phosphate backbone to improve, e.g., the stability, hybridization, or solubility of the molecule. For example, the deoxyribose phosphate backbone of the nucleic acid molecules can be modified to generate peptide nucleic acids (see Hyrup et al. (1996) Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 4: 5–23).

As used herein, the terms “peptide nucleic acid” or “PNA” refers to a nucleic acid mimic, e.g., a DNA mimic, in which the deoxyribose phosphate backbone is replaced by a pseudopeptide backbone and only the four natural nucleobases are retained. The neutral backbone of a PNA can allow for specific hybridization to DNA and RNA under conditions of low ionic strength. The synthesis of PNA oligomers can be performed using standard solid phase peptide synthesis protocols as described in Hyrup et al. (1996) supra; Perry-O'Keefe et al. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 93: 14670–675.

PNAs of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid molecules can be used in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. For example, PNAs can be used as antisense or antigene agents for sequence-specific modulation of gene expression by, for example, inducing transcription or translation arrest or inhibiting replication. PNAs of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid molecules can also be used in the analysis of single base pair mutations in a gene, (e.g., by PNA-directed PCR clamping); as ‘artificial restriction enzymes’ when used in combination with other enzymes, (e.g., S1 nucleases (Hyrup et al. (1996) supra)); or as probes or primers for DNA sequencing or hybridization (Hyrup et al. (1996) supra; Perry-O'Keefe supra).

In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide can include other appended groups such as peptides (e.g., for targeting host cell receptors in vivo), or agents facilitating transport across the cell membrane (see, e.g., Letsinger et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:6553–6556; Lemaitre et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:648–652; PCT Publication No. W088/09810) or the blood-brain barrier (see, e.g., PCT Publication No. W089/10134). In addition, oligonucleotides can be modified with hybridization-triggered cleavage agents (see, e.g., Krol et al. (1988) Bio-Techniques 6:958–976) or intercalating agents. (see, e.g., Zon (1988) Pharm. Res. 5:539–549). To this end, the oligonucleotide can be conjugated to another molecule, (e.g., a peptide, hybridization triggered cross-linking agent, transport agent, or hybridization-triggered cleavage agent).

The invention also includes molecular beacon oligonucleotide primer and probe molecules having at least one region which is complementary to a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid of the invention, two complementary regions one having a fluorophore and one a quencher such that the molecular beacon is useful for quantitating the presence of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid of the invention in a sample. Molecular beacon nucleic acids are described, for example, in Lizardi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,033; Nazarenko et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,336, and Livak et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,930.

Isolated 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 Polypeptides

In another aspect, the invention features, an isolated 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, or fragment, e.g., a biologically active portion, for use as immunogens or antigens to raise or test (or more generally to bind) anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibodies. 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein can be isolated from cells or tissue sources using standard protein purification techniques. 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or fragments thereof can be produced by recombinant DNA techniques or synthesized chemically.

Polypeptides of the invention include those which arise as a result of the existence of multiple genes, alternative transcription events, alternative RNA splicing events, and alternative translational and post-translational events. The polypeptide can be expressed in systems, e.g., cultured cells, which result in substantially the same post-translational modifications present when the polypeptide is expressed in a native cell, or in systems which result in the alteration or omission of post-translational modifications, e.g., glycosylation or cleavage, present in a native cell.

In a preferred embodiment, a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide has one or more of the following characteristics:

it has the ability to catalyze the hydrolysis of an acyl or phosphoacyl bond of a phospholipids; to modulate removal of COOH-terminal residues; (ii) it has the ability to modulate the transfer of an acyl group from a donor to an acceptor molecule; (iii) it has the ability to phosphorylate carbohydrates; (iv) it has the ability to oxidate an aldehyde; (v) it has the ability to modulate ubiquitination of a substrate; (vi) it has the ability to reversibly phosphorylate proteins in order to regulate protein activity in eukaryotic cells; (vii) it has the ability to interact with cytotoxins and metabolites; (viii) it has the ability to catalyze the metabolism of a cytotoxin or metabolite; (ix) it has the ability to hydrolyze a thioester containing compound; (x) it has the ability to catalyze the formation of a thioester conjugation on a substrate; (xi) it has the ability to cleave or modulate the degradation of proteins or peptides of the extracellular matrix; (xii) it has the ability to catalyze or modulate catalysis of cleavage of covalent bonds within or between amino acid residues; (xiii) it has a molecular weight, e.g., a deduced molecular weight, preferably ignoring any contribution of post translational modifications, amino acid composition or other physical characteristic of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide, e.g., a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87; (xiv) it has an overall sequence similarity of at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80, 90, or 95%, with a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87; (xv) it is expressed in a multitude of human tissues and cell lines (refer to section for each molecule of the invention); and it has specific domains which are preferably about 70%, 80%, 90% or 95% identical to the identified amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 (refer to section for each molecule of the invention for domain names and locations within amino acid sequence).

In a preferred embodiment the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, or fragment thereof, differs from the corresponding sequence in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87. In one embodiment it differs by at least one but by less than 15, 10 or 5 amino acid residues. In another it differs from the corresponding sequence in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 by at least one residue but less than 20%, 15%, 10% or 5% of the residues in it differ from the corresponding sequence in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87. (If this comparison requires alignment the sequences should be aligned for maximum homology. “Looped” out sequences from deletions or insertions, or mismatches, are considered differences.) The differences are, preferably, differences or changes at a non-essential residue or a conservative substitution. In a preferred embodiment the differences are not in the identified or conserved domain(s) within SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87. In another embodiment one or more differences are in the cidentified or conserved domain(s) within SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87.

Other embodiments include a protein that contains one or more changes in amino acid sequence, e.g., a change in an amino acid residue which is not essential for activity. Such 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins differ in amino acid sequence from SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87, yet retain biological activity.

In one embodiment, the protein includes an amino acid sequence at least about 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98% or more homologous to SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87.

A 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or fragment is provided which varies from the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 in regions defined by amino acids that are not within identified or conserved domains or regions by at least one but by less than 15, 10 or 5 amino acid residues in the protein or fragment but which does not differ from SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 in regions defined by amino acids that are within identified or conserved domains or regions. (If this comparison requires alignment the sequences should be aligned for maximum homology. “Looped” out sequences from deletions or insertions, or mismatches, are considered differences.) In some embodiments the difference is at a non-essential residue or is a conservative substitution, while in others the difference is at an essential residue or is a non-conservative substitution.

In one embodiment, a biologically active portion of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein includes an identified domain (refer to section for each molecule of the invention). Moreover, other biologically active portions, in which other regions of the protein are deleted, can be prepared by recombinant techniques and evaluated for one or more of the functional activities of a native 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein.

In a preferred embodiment, the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein has an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87. In other embodiments, the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein is sufficiently or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87. In yet another embodiment, the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein is sufficiently or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 and retains the functional activity of the protein of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87, as described in detail in the subsections above.

27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 Chimeric or Fusion Proteins

In another aspect, the invention provides 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 chimeric or fusion proteins. As used herein, a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 “chimeric protein” or “fusion protein” includes a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide linked to a non-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide. A “non-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide” refers to a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence corresponding to a protein which is not substantially homologous to the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, e.g., a protein which is different from the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein and which is derived from the same or a different organism. The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide of the fusion protein can correspond to all or a portion e.g., a fragment described herein of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 amino acid sequence. In a preferred embodiment, a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 fusion protein includes at least one (or two) biologically active portion of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. The non-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide can be fused to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide.

The fusion protein can include a moiety which has a high affinity for a ligand. For example, the fusion protein can be a GST-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 fusion protein in which the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequences are fused to the C-terminus of the GST sequences. Such fusion proteins can facilitate the purification of recombinant 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577. Alternatively, the fusion protein can be a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein containing a heterologous signal sequence at its N-terminus. In certain host cells (e.g., mammalian host cells), expression and/or secretion of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 can be increased through use of a heterologous signal sequence.

Fusion proteins can include all or a part of a serum protein, e.g., a portion of an immunoglobulin (e.g., IgG, IgA, or IgE), e.g., an Fc region and/or the hinge C1 and C2 sequences of an immunoglobulin or human serum albumin.

The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 fusion proteins of the invention can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions and administered to a subject in vivo. The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 fusion proteins can be used to affect the bioavailability of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 substrate. 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 fusion proteins can be useful therapeutically for the treatment of disorders caused by, for example, (i) aberrant modification or mutation of a gene encoding a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein; (ii) mis-regulation of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene; and (iii) aberrant post-translational modification of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein.

Moreover, the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-fusion proteins of the invention can be used as immunogens to produce anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibodies in a subject, to purify 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 ligands and in screening assays to identify molecules which inhibit the interaction of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 with a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 substrate.

Expression vectors are commercially available that already encode a fusion moiety (e.g., a GST polypeptide). A 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-encoding nucleic acid can be cloned into such an expression vector such that the fusion moiety is linked in-frame to the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein.

Variants of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 Proteins

In another aspect, the invention also features a variant of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide, e.g., which functions as an agonist (mimetics) or as an antagonist. Variants of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins can be generated by mutagenesis, e.g., discrete point mutation, the insertion or deletion of sequences or the truncation of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. An agonist of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins can retain substantially the same, or a subset, of the biological activities of the naturally occurring form of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. An antagonist of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein can inhibit one or more of the activities of the naturally occurring form of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein by, for example, competitively modulating a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-mediated activity of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. Thus, specific biological effects can be elicited by treatment with a variant of limited function. Preferably, treatment of a subject with a variant having a subset of the biological activities of the naturally occurring form of the protein has fewer side effects in a subject relative to treatment with the naturally occurring form of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein.

Variants of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein can be identified by screening combinatorial libraries of mutants, e.g., truncation mutants, of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein for agonist or antagonist activity.

Libraries of fragments e.g., N terminal, C terminal, or internal fragments, of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein coding sequence can be used to generate a variegated population of fragments for screening and subsequent selection of variants of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein.

Variants in which a cysteine residues is added or deleted or in which a residue which is glycosylated is added or deleted are particularly preferred.

Methods for screening gene products of combinatorial libraries made by point mutations or truncation, and for screening cDNA libraries for gene products having a selected property are known in the art. Recursive ensemble mutagenesis (REM), a new technique which enhances the frequency of functional mutants in the libraries, can be used in combination with the screening assays to identify 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 variants (Arkin and Yourvan (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:7811–7815; Delgrave et al. (1993) Protein Engineering 6:327–331).

Cell based assays can be exploited to analyze a variegated 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 library. For example, a library of expression vectors can be transfected into a cell line, e.g., a cell line, which ordinarily responds to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 in a substrate-dependent manner. The transfected cells are then contacted with 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 and the effect of the expression of the mutant on signaling by the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 substrate can be detected, e.g., by measuring either phospholipase activity, serine carboxypeptidase activity, trypsin-like serine protease activity, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, ubiquitin-protein ligase activity, protein kinase activity, hydrolase activity, matrix metalloproteinase activity, or other activity. Plasmid DNA can then be recovered from the cells which score for inhibition, or alternatively, potentiation of signaling by the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 substrate, and the individual clones further characterized.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of making a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide, e.g., a peptide having a non-wild type activity, e.g., an antagonist, agonist, or super agonist of a naturally occurring 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide, e.g., a naturally occurring 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide. The method includes altering the sequence of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide, e.g., altering the sequence, e.g., by substitution or deletion of one or more residues of a non-conserved region, a domain or residue disclosed herein, and testing the altered polypeptide for the desired activity.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of making a fragment or analog of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide a biological activity of a naturally occurring 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide. The method includes altering the sequence, e.g., by substitution or deletion of one or more residues, of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide, e.g., altering the sequence of a non-conserved region, or a domain or residue described herein, and testing the altered polypeptide for the desired activity.

Anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 Antibodies

In another aspect, the invention provides an anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibody. The term “antibody” as used herein refers to an immunoglobulin molecule or immunologically active portion thereof, i.e., an antigen-binding portion. Examples of immunologically active portions of immunoglobulin molecules include scFV and dcFV fragments, Fab and F(ab′)₂ fragments which can be generated by treating the antibody with an enzyme such as papain or pepsin, respectively.

The antibody can be a polyclonal, monoclonal, recombinant, e.g., a chimeric or humanized, fully human, non-human, e.g., murine, or single chain antibody. In a preferred embodiment it has effector function and can fix complement. The antibody can be coupled to a toxin or imaging agent.

A full-length 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or, antigenic peptide fragment of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 can be used as an immunogen or can be used to identify anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibodies made with other immunogens, e.g., cells, membrane preparations, and the like. The antigenic peptide of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 should include at least 8 amino acid residues of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 and encompasses an epitope of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577. Preferably, the antigenic peptide includes at least 10 amino acid residues, more preferably at least 15 amino acid residues, even more preferably at least 20 amino acid residues, and most preferably at least 30 amino acid residues.

Fragments of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 which include hydrophilic regions of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 can be used to make, e.g., used as immunogens or used to characterize the specificity of an antibody, antibodies against hydrophilic regions of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. Similarly, fragments of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 which include hydrophobic regions of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 can be used to make an antibody against a hydrophobic region of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein; fragments of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 which include residues within extra cellular domain(s) of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 can be used to make an antibody against an extracellular or non-cytoplasmic region of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein; fragments of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 which include residues within intracellular regions of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 can be used to make an antibody against an intracellular region of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein; a fragment of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 which include residues within identified or conserved domains of SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 12, 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 74, 77 or 87 can be used to make an antibody against the identified or conserved domain of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein.

Antibodies reactive with, or specific or selective for, any of these regions, or other regions or domains described herein are provided.

Preferred epitopes encompassed by the antigenic peptide are regions of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 located on the surface of the protein, e.g., hydrophilic regions, as well as regions with high antigenicity. For example, an Emini surface probability analysis of the human 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein sequence can be used to indicate the regions that have a particularly high probability of being localized to the surface of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein and are thus likely to constitute surface residues useful for targeting antibody production.

In a preferred embodiment the antibody can bind to the extracellular portion of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, e.g., it can bind to a whole cell which expresses the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. In another embodiment, the antibody binds an intracellular portion of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein.

In a preferred embodiment the antibody binds an epitope on any domain or region on 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins described herein.

Additionally, chimeric, humanized, and completely human antibodies are also within the scope of the invention. Chimeric, humanized, but most preferably, completely human antibodies are desirable for applications which include repeated administration, e.g., therapeutic treatment of human patients, and some diagnostic applications.

Chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies, comprising both human and non-human portions, can be made using standard recombinant DNA techniques. Such chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies can be produced by recombinant DNA techniques known in the art, for example using methods described in Robinson et al. International Application No. PCT/US86/02269; Akira, et al. European Patent Application 184,187; Taniguchi, European Patent Application 171,496; Morrison et al. European Patent Application 173,494; Neuberger et al. PCT International Publication No. WO 86/01533; Cabilly et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Cabilly et al. European Patent Application 125,023; Better et al. (1988) Science 240:1041–1043; Liu et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:3439–3443; Liu et al. (1987) J. Immunol. 139:3521–3526; Sun et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:214–218; Nishimura et al. (1987) Canc. Res. 47:999–1005; Wood et al. (1985) Nature 314:446–449; and Shaw et al. (1988) J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 80:1553–1559).

A humanized or complementarity determining region (CDR)-grafted antibody will have at least one or two, but generally all three recipient CDR's (of heavy and or light immuoglobulin chains) replaced with a donor CDR. The antibody may be replaced with at least a portion of a non-human CDR or only some of the CDR's may be replaced with non-human CDR's. It is only necessary to replace the number of CDR's required for binding of the humanized antibody to a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 or a fragment thereof. Preferably, the donor will be a rodent antibody, e.g., a rat or mouse antibody, and the recipient will be a human framework or a human consensus framework. Typically, the immunoglobulin providing the CDR's is called the “donor” and the immunoglobulin providing the framework is called the “acceptor.” In one embodiment, the donor immunoglobulin is a non-human (e.g., rodent). The acceptor framework is a naturally-occurring (e.g., a human) framework or a consensus framework, or a sequence about 85% or higher, preferably 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

As used herein, the term “consensus sequence” refers to the sequence formed from the most frequently occurring amino acids (or nucleotides) in a family of related sequences (See e.g., Winnaker, (1987) From Genes to Clones (Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, Germany). In a family of proteins, each position in the consensus sequence is occupied by the amino acid occurring most frequently at that position in the family. If two amino acids occur equally frequently, either can be included in the consensus sequence. A “consensus framework” refers to the framework region in the consensus immunoglobulin sequence.

An antibody can be humanized by methods known in the art. Humanized antibodies can be generated by replacing sequences of the Fv variable region which are not directly involved in antigen binding with equivalent sequences from human Fv variable regions. General methods for generating humanized antibodies are provided by Morrison (1985) Science 229:1202–1207, by Oi et al. (1986) BioTechniques 4:214, and by Queen et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,585,089, 5,693,761 and 5,693,762, the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Those methods include isolating, manipulating, and expressing the nucleic acid sequences that encode all or part of immunoglobulin Fv variable regions from at least one of a heavy or light chain. Sources of such nucleic acid are well known to those skilled in the art and, for example, may be obtained from a hybridoma producing an antibody against a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide or fragment thereof. The recombinant DNA encoding the humanized antibody, or fragment thereof, can then be cloned into an appropriate expression vector.

Humanized or CDR-grafted antibodies can be produced by CDR-grafting or CDR substitution, wherein one, two, or all CDR's of an immunoglobulin chain can be replaced. See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539; Jones et al. (1986) Nature 321:552–525; Verhoeyan et al. (1988) Science 239:1534; Beidler et al. (1988) J. Immunol. 141:4053–4060; Winter U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539, the contents of all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. Winter describes a CDR-grafting method which may be used to prepare the humanized antibodies of the present invention (UK Patent Application GB 2188638A, filed on Mar. 26, 1987; Winter U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539), the contents of which is expressly incorporated by reference.

Also within the scope of the invention are humanized antibodies in which specific amino acids have been substituted, deleted or added. Preferred humanized antibodies have amino acid substitutions in the framework region, such as to improve binding to the antigen. For example, a humanized antibody will have framework residues identical to the donor framework residue or to another amino acid other than the recipient framework residue. To generate such antibodies, a selected, small number of acceptor framework residues of the humanized immunoglobulin chain can be replaced by the corresponding donor amino acids. Preferred locations of the substitutions include amino acid residues adjacent to the CDR, or which are capable of interacting with a CDR (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089). Criteria for selecting amino acids from the donor are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089, e.g., columns 12–16 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089, the e.g., columns 12–16 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other techniques for humanizing antibodies are described in Padlan et al. EP 519596 A1, published on Dec. 23, 1992.

Completely human antibodies are particularly desirable for therapeutic treatment of human patients. Such antibodies can be produced using transgenic mice that are incapable of expressing endogenous immunoglobulin heavy and light chains genes, but which can express human heavy and light chain genes. See, for example, Lonberg and Huszar (1995) Int. Rev. Immunol. 13:65–93); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,625,126; 5,633,425; 5,569,825; 5,661,016; and 5,545,806. In addition, companies such as Abgenix, Inc. (Fremont, Calif.) and Medarex, Inc. (Princeton, N.J.), can be engaged to provide human antibodies directed against a selected antigen using technology similar to that described above.

Completely human antibodies that recognize a selected epitope can be generated using a technique referred to as “guided selection.” In this approach a selected non-human monoclonal antibody, e.g., a murine antibody, is used to guide the selection of a completely human antibody recognizing the same epitope. This technology is described by Jespers et al. (1994) Bio/Technology 12:899–903).

The anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibody can be a single chain antibody. A single-chain antibody (scFV) can be engineered as described in, for example, Colcher et al. (1999) Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 880:263–80; and Reiter (1996) Clin. Cancer Res. 2:245–52. The single chain antibody can be dimerized or multimerized to generate multivalent antibodies having specificities for different epitopes of the same target 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein.

In a preferred embodiment, the antibody has reduced or no ability to bind an Fc receptor. For example, it is an isotype or subtype, fragment or other mutant, which does not support binding to an Fc receptor, e.g., it has a mutagenized or deleted Fc receptor binding region.

An antibody (or fragment thereof) may be conjugated to a therapeutic moiety such as a cytotoxin, a therapeutic agent or a radioactive ion. A cytotoxin or cytotoxic agent includes any agent that is detrimental to cells. Examples include taxol, cytochalasin B, gramicidin D, ethidium bromide, emetine, mitomycin, etoposide, tenoposide, vincristine, vinblastine, colchicin, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, dihydroxy anthracin dione, mitoxantrone, mithramycin, actinomycin D, 1-dehydrotestosterone, glucocorticoids, procaine, tetracaine, lidocaine, propranolol, puromycin, maytansinoids, e.g., maytansinol (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,020), CC-1065 (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,475,092, 5,585,499, 5,846,545) and analogs or homologs thereof. Therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, antimetabolites (e.g., methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, 5-fluorouracil decarbazine), alkylating agents (e.g., mechlorethamine, thioepa chlorambucil, CC-1065, melphalan, carmustine (BSNU) and lomustine (CCNU), cyclothosphamide, busulfan, dibromomannitol, streptozotocin, mitomycin C, and cis-dichlorodiamine platinum (II) (DDP) cisplatin), anthracyclines (e.g., daunorubicin (formerly daunomycin) and doxorubicin), antibiotics (e.g., dactinomycin (formerly actinomycin), bleomycin, mithramycin, and anthramycin (AMC)), and anti-mitotic agents (e.g., vincristine, vinblastine, taxol and maytansinoids).

Radioactive ions include, but are not limited to iodine, yttrium and praseodymium.

The conjugates of the invention can be used for modifying a given biological response, the therapeutic moiety is not to be construed as limited to classical chemical therapeutic agents. For example, the therapeutic moiety may be a protein or polypeptide possessing a desired biological activity. Such proteins may include, for example, a toxin such as abrin, ricin A, pseudomonas exotoxin, or diphtheria toxin; a protein such as tumor necrosis factor, α-interferon, β-interferon, nerve growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, tissue plasminogen activator; or, biological response modifiers such as, for example, lymphokines, interleukin-1 (“IL-1”), interleukin-2 (“IL-2”), interleukin-6 (“IL-6”), granulocyte macrophase colony stimulating factor (“GM-CSF”), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (“G-CSF”), or other growth factors.

Alternatively, an antibody can be conjugated to a second antibody to form an antibody heteroconjugate as described by Segal in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980.

An anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibody (e.g., monoclonal antibody) can be used to isolate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 by standard techniques, such as affinity chromatography or immunoprecipitation. Moreover, an anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibody can be used to detect 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein (e.g., in a cellular lysate or cell supernatant) in order to evaluate the abundance and pattern of expression of the protein. Anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibodies can be used diagnostically to monitor protein levels in tissue as part of a clinical testing procedure, e.g., to determine the efficacy of a given treatment regimen. Detection can be facilitated by coupling (i.e., physically linking) the antibody to a detectable substance (i.e., antibody labelling). Examples of detectable substances include various enzymes, prosthetic groups, fluorescent materials, luminescent materials, bioluminescent materials, and radioactive materials. Examples of suitable enzymes include horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidase, or acetylcholinesterase; examples of suitable prosthetic group complexes include streptavidin/biotin and avidin/biotin; examples of suitable fluorescent materials include umbelliferone, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride or phycoerythrin; an example of a luminescent material includes luminol; examples of bioluminescent materials include luciferase, luciferin, and aequorin, and examples of suitable radioactive material include ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ³⁵S or ³H.

In preferred embodiments, an antibody can be made by immunizing with a purified 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antigen, or a fragment thereof, e.g., a fragment described herein, a membrane associated antigen, tissues, e.g., crude tissue preparations, whole cells, preferably living cells, lysed cells, or cell fractions, e.g., membrane fractions.

Antibodies which bind only a native 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, only denatured or otherwise non-native 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, or which bind both, are within the invention. Antibodies with linear or conformational epitopes are within the invention. Conformational epitopes sometimes can be identified by identifying antibodies which bind to native but not denatured 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein.

Recombinant Expression Vectors, Host Cells and Genetically Engineered Cells

In another aspect, the invention includes, vectors, preferably expression vectors, containing a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide described herein. As used herein, the term “vector” refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transporting another nucleic acid to which it has been linked and can include a plasmid, cosmid or viral vector. The vector can be capable of autonomous replication or it can integrate into a host DNA. Viral vectors include, e.g., replication defective retroviruses, adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses.

A vector can include a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid in a form suitable for expression of the nucleic acid in a host cell.

Preferably the recombinant expression vector includes one or more regulatory sequences operatively linked to the nucleic acid sequence to be expressed. The term “regulatory sequence” includes promoters, enhancers and other expression control elements (e.g., polyadenylation signals). Regulatory sequences include those which direct constitutive expression of a nucleotide sequence, as well as tissue-specific regulatory and/or inducible sequences. The design of the expression vector can depend on such factors as the choice of the host cell to be transformed, the level of expression of protein desired, and the like. The expression vectors of the invention can be introduced into host cells to thereby produce proteins or polypeptides, including fusion proteins or polypeptides, encoded by nucleic acids as described herein (e.g., 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins, mutant forms of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins, fusion proteins, and the like).

The recombinant expression vectors of the invention can be designed for expression of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. For example, polypeptides of the invention can be expressed in E. coli, insect cells (e.g., using baculovirus expression vectors), yeast cells or mammalian cells. Suitable host cells are discussed further in Goeddel, (1990) Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. Alternatively, the recombinant expression vector can be transcribed and translated in vitro, for example using T7 promoter regulatory sequences and T7 polymerase.

Expression of proteins in prokaryotes is most often carried out in E. coli with vectors containing constitutive or inducible promoters directing the expression of either fusion or non-fusion proteins. Fusion vectors add a number of amino acids to a protein encoded therein, usually to the amino terminus of the recombinant protein. Such fusion vectors typically serve three purposes: 1) to increase expression of recombinant protein; 2) to increase the solubility of the recombinant protein; and 3) to aid in the purification of the recombinant protein by acting as a ligand in affinity purification. Often, a proteolytic cleavage site is introduced at the junction of the fusion moiety and the recombinant protein to enable separation of the recombinant protein from the fusion moiety subsequent to purification of the fusion protein. Such enzymes, and their cognate recognition sequences, include Factor Xa, thrombin and enterokinase. Typical fusion expression vectors include pGEX (Pharmacia Biotech Inc; Smith and Johnson (1988) Gene 67:31–40), pMAL (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.) and pRIT5 (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) which fuse glutathione S-transferase (GST), maltose E binding protein, or protein A, respectively, to the target recombinant protein.

Purified fusion proteins can be used in 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity assays, (e.g., direct assays or competitive assays described in detail below), or to generate antibodies specific or selective for 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins. In a preferred embodiment, a fusion protein expressed in a retroviral expression vector of the present invention can be used to infect bone marrow cells which are subsequently transplanted into irradiated recipients. The pathology of the subject recipient is then examined after sufficient time has passed (e.g., six weeks).

To maximize recombinant protein expression in E. coli is to express the protein in a host bacteria with an impaired capacity to proteolytically cleave the recombinant protein (Gottesman (1990) Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. 119–128). Another strategy is to alter the nucleic acid sequence of the nucleic acid to be inserted into an expression vector so that the individual codons for each amino acid are those preferentially utilized in E. coli (Wada et al., (1992) Nucleic Acids Res. 20:2111–2118). Such alteration of nucleic acid sequences of the invention can be carried out by standard DNA synthesis techniques.

The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression vector can be a yeast expression vector, a vector for expression in insect cells, e.g., a baculovirus expression vector or a vector suitable for expression in mammalian cells.

When used in mammalian cells, the expression vector's control functions are often provided by viral regulatory elements. For example, commonly used promoters are derived from polyoma, Adenovirus 2, cytomegalovirus and Simian Virus 40.

In another embodiment, the recombinant mammalian expression vector is capable of directing expression of the nucleic acid preferentially in a particular cell type (e.g., tissue-specific regulatory elements are used to express the nucleic acid). Non-limiting examples of suitable tissue-specific promoters include the albumin promoter (liver-specific; Pinkert et al. (1987) Genes Dev. 1:268–277), lymphoid-specific promoters (Calame and Eaton (1988) Adv. Immunol. 43:235–275), in particular promoters of T cell receptors (Winoto and Baltimore (1989) EMBO J. 8:729–733) and immunoglobulins (Banerji et al. (1983) Cell 33:729–740; Queen and Baltimore (1983) Cell 33:741–748), neuron-specific promoters (e.g., the neurofilament promoter; Byrne and Ruddle (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:5473–5477), pancreas-specific promoters (Edlund et al. (1985) Science 230:912–916), and mammary gland-specific promoters (e.g., milk whey promoter; U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,316 and European Application Publication No. 264,166). Developmentally-regulated promoters are also encompassed, for example, the murine hox promoters (Kessel and Gruss (1990) Science 249:374–379) and the α-fetoprotein promoter (Campes and Tilghman (1989) Genes Dev. 3:537–546).

The invention further provides a recombinant expression vector comprising a DNA molecule of the invention cloned into the expression vector in an antisense orientation. Regulatory sequences (e.g., viral promoters and/or enhancers) operatively linked to a nucleic acid cloned in the antisense orientation can be chosen which direct the constitutive, tissue specific or cell type specific expression of antisense RNA in a variety of cell types. The antisense expression vector can be in the form of a recombinant plasmid, phagemid or attenuated virus. For a discussion of the regulation of gene expression using antisense genes see Weintraub et al., (1986) Reviews—Trends in Genetics 1:1.

Another aspect the invention provides a host cell which includes a nucleic acid molecule described herein, e.g., a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid molecule within a recombinant expression vector or a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid molecule containing sequences which allow it to homologously recombine into a specific site of the host cell's genome. The terms “host cell” and “recombinant host cell” are used interchangeably herein. Such terms refer not only to the particular subject cell but to the progeny or potential progeny of such a cell. Because certain modifications can occur in succeeding generations due to either mutation or environmental influences, such progeny may not, in fact, be identical to the parent cell, but are still included within the scope of the term as used herein.

A host cell can be any prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell. For example, a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein can be expressed in bacterial cells such as E. coli, insect cells, yeast or mammalian cells (such as Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells or CV-1 origin, SV-40 (COS) cells). Other suitable host cells are known to those skilled in the art.

Vector DNA can be introduced into host cells via conventional transformation or transfection techniques. As used herein, the terms “transformation” and “transfection” are intended to refer to a variety of art-recognized techniques for introducing foreign nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) into a host cell, including calcium phosphate or calcium chloride co-precipitation, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, lipofection, or electroporation.

A host cell of the invention can be used to produce (i.e., express) a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. Accordingly, the invention further provides methods for producing a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein using the host cells of the invention. In one embodiment, the method includes culturing the host cell of the invention (into which a recombinant expression vector encoding a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein has been introduced) in a suitable medium such that a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein is produced. In another embodiment, the method further includes isolating a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein from the medium or the host cell.

In another aspect, the invention features, a cell or purified preparation of cells which include a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 transgene, or which otherwise misexpress 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577. The cell preparation can consist of human or non-human cells, e.g., rodent cells, e.g., mouse or rat cells, rabbit cells, or pig cells. In preferred embodiments, the cell or cells include a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 transgene, e.g. , a heterologous form of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577, e.g., a gene derived from humans (in the case of a non-human cell). The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 transgene can be misexpressed, e.g., overexpressed or underexpressed. In other preferred embodiments, the cell or cells include a gene which misexpresses an endogenous 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577, e.g., a gene the expression of which is disrupted, e.g., a knockout. Such cells can serve as a model for studying disorders which are related to mutated or misexpressed 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 alleles or for use in drug screening.

In another aspect, the invention features, a human cell, e.g., a hematopoietic stem cell, transformed with nucleic acid which encodes a subject 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide.

Also provided are cells, preferably human cells, e.g., human hematopoietic or fibroblast cells, in which an endogenous 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 is under the control of a regulatory sequence that does not normally control the expression of the endogenous 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene. The expression characteristics of an endogenous gene within a cell, e.g., a cell line or microorganism, can be modified by inserting a heterologous DNA regulatory element into the genome of the cell such that the inserted regulatory element is operably linked to the endogenous 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene. For example, an endogenous 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene which is “transcriptionally silent,” e.g., not normally expressed, or expressed only at very low levels, can be activated by inserting a regulatory element which is capable of promoting the expression of a normally expressed gene product in that cell. Techniques such as targeted homologous recombinations, can be used to insert the heterologous DNA as described in, e.g., Chappel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,071; WO 91/06667, published in May 16, 1991.

Transgenic Animals

The invention provides non-human transgenic animals. Such animals are useful for studying the function and/or activity of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein and for identifying and/or evaluating modulators of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity. As used herein, a “transgenic animal” is a non-human animal, preferably a mammal, more preferably a rodent such as a rat or mouse, in which one or more of the cells of the animal includes a transgene. Other examples of transgenic animals include non-human primates, sheep, dogs, cows, goats, chickens, amphibians, and the like. A transgene is exogenous DNA or a rearrangement, e.g., a deletion of endogenous chromosomal DNA, which preferably is integrated into or occurs in the genome of the cells of a transgenic animal. A transgene can direct the expression of an encoded gene product in one or more cell types or tissues of the transgenic animal, other transgenes, e.g., a knockout, reduce expression. Thus, a transgenic animal can be one in which an endogenous 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene has been altered by, e.g., by homologous recombination between the endogenous gene and an exogenous DNA molecule introduced into a cell of the animal, e.g., an embryonic cell of the animal, prior to development of the animal.

Intronic sequences and polyadenylation signals can also be included in the transgene to increase the efficiency of expression of the transgene. A tissue-specific regulatory sequence(s) can be operably linked to a transgene of the invention to direct expression of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein to particular cells. A transgenic founder animal can be identified based upon the presence of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 transgene in its genome and/or expression of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA in tissues or cells of the animals. A transgenic founder animal can then be used to breed additional animals carrying the transgene. Moreover, transgenic animals carrying a transgene encoding a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein can further be bred to other transgenic animals carrying other transgenes.

27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins or polypeptides can be expressed in transgenic animals or plants, e.g., a nucleic acid encoding the protein or polypeptide can be introduced into the genome of an animal. In preferred embodiments the nucleic acid is placed under the control of a tissue specific promoter, e.g., a milk or egg specific promoter, and recovered from the milk or eggs produced by the animal. Suitable animals are mice, pigs, cows, goats, and sheep.

The invention also includes a population of cells from a transgenic animal, as discussed, e.g., below.

Uses

The nucleic acid molecules, proteins, protein homologs, and antibodies described herein can be used in one or more of the following methods: a) screening assays; b) predictive medicine (e.g. diagnostic assays, prognostic assays, monitoring clinical trials, and pharmacogenetics); and c) methods of treatment (e.g., therapeutic and prophylactic).

The isolated nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be used, for example, to express a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein (e.g., via a recombinant expression vector in a host cell in gene therapy applications), to detect a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA (e.g., in a biological sample) or a genetic alteration in a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene, and to modulate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity, as described further below. The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins can be used to treat disorders characterized by insufficient or excessive production of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 substrate or production of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 inhibitors. In addition, the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins can be used to screen for naturally occurring 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 substrates, to screen for drugs or compounds which modulate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity, as well as to treat disorders characterized by insufficient or excessive production of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or production of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein forms which have decreased, aberrant or unwanted activity compared to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 wild type protein (e.g., aberrant or deficient phospholipase activity, serine carboxypeptidase activity, trypsin-like serine protease activity, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, ubiquitin-protein ligase activity, protein kinase activity, hydrolase activity, matrix metalloproteinase activity, or other activity). Moreover, the anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibodies of the invention can be used to detect and isolate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins, regulate the bioavailability of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins, and modulate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity.

A method of evaluating a compound for the ability to interact with, e.g., bind, a subject 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide is provided. The method includes: contacting the compound with the subject 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide; and evaluating ability of the compound to interact with, e.g., to bind or form a complex with the subject 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide. This method can be performed in vitro, e.g., in a cell free system, or in vivo, e.g., in a two-hybrid interaction trap assay. This method can be used to identify naturally occurring molecules which interact with subject 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide. It can also be used to find natural or synthetic inhibitors of subject 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide. Screening methods are discussed in more detail below.

Screening Assays:

The invention provides methods (also referred to herein as “screening assays”) for identifying modulators, i.e., candidate or test compounds or agents (e.g., proteins, peptides, peptidomimetics, peptoids, small molecules or other drugs) which bind to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins, have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on, for example, 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity, or have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on, for example, the expression or activity of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 substrate. Compounds thus identified can be used to modulate the activity of target gene products (e.g., 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 genes) in a therapeutic protocol, to elaborate the biological function of the target gene product, or to identify compounds that disrupt normal target gene interactions.

In one embodiment, the invention provides assays for screening candidate or test compounds which are substrates of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or polypeptide or a biologically active portion thereof. In another embodiment, the invention provides assays for screening candidate or test compounds which bind to or modulate the activity of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or polypeptide or a biologically active portion thereof.

The test compounds of the present invention can be obtained using any of the numerous approaches in combinatorial library methods known in the art, including: biological libraries; peptoid libraries (libraries of molecules having the functionalities of peptides, but with a novel, non-peptide backbone which are resistant to enzymatic degradation but which nevertheless remain bioactive; see, e.g., Zuckermann et al. (1994) J. Med. Chem. 37:2678–85); spatially addressable parallel solid phase or solution phase libraries; synthetic library methods requiring deconvolution; the ‘one-bead one-compound’ library method; and synthetic library methods using affinity chromatography selection. The biological library and peptoid library approaches are limited to peptide libraries, while the other four approaches are applicable to peptide, non-peptide oligomer or small molecule libraries of compounds (Lam (1997) Anticancer Drug Des. 12:145).

Examples of methods for the synthesis of molecular libraries can be found in the art, for example in: DeWitt et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90:6909–13; Erb et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:11422–426; Zuckermann et al. (1994). J. Med. Chem. 37:2678–85; Cho et al. (1993) Science 261:1303; Carrell et al. (1994) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 33:2059; Carell et al. (1994) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 33:2061; and in Gallop et al. (1994) J. Med. Chem. 37:1233–51.

Libraries of compounds can be presented in solution (e.g., Houghten (1992) Biotechniques 13:412–421), or on beads (Lam (1991) Nature 354:82–84), chips (Fodor (1993) Nature 364:555–556), bacteria (Ladner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409), spores (Ladner U.S. Pat. No. '409), plasmids (Cull et al. (1992) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 89:1865–1869) or on phage (Scott and Smith (1990) Science 249:386–390; Devlin (1990) Science 249:404–406; Cwirla et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 87:6378–6382; Felici (1991) J. Mol. Biol. 222:301–310; Ladner supra.).

In one embodiment, an assay is a cell-based assay in which a cell which expresses a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or biologically active portion thereof is contacted with a test compound, and the ability of the test compound to modulate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity is determined. Determining the ability of the test compound to modulate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity can be accomplished by monitoring, for example, phospholipase activity, serine carboxypeptidase activity, trypsin-like serine protease activity, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, ubiquitin-protein ligase activity, protein kinase activity, hydrolase activity, matrix metalloproteinase activity, or other activity. The cell, for example, can be of mammalian origin, e.g., human.

The ability of the test compound to modulate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 binding to a compound, e.g., a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 substrate, or to bind to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 can also be evaluated. This can be accomplished, for example, by coupling the compound, e.g., the substrate, with a radioisotope or enzymatic label such that binding of the compound, e.g., the substrate, to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 can be determined by detecting the labeled compound, e.g., substrate, in a complex. Alternatively, 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 could be coupled with a radioisotope or enzymatic label to monitor the ability of a test compound to modulate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 binding to a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 substrate in a complex. For example, compounds (e.g., 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or65577 substrates) can be labeled with ¹²⁵I, ¹⁴C, ³⁵S or ³H, either directly or indirectly, and the radioisotope detected by direct counting of radioemmission or by scintillation counting. Alternatively, compounds can be enzymatically labeled with, for example, horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, or luciferase, and the enzymatic label detected by determination of conversion of an appropriate substrate to product.

The ability of a compound (e.g., a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 substrate) to interact with 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 with or without the labeling of any of the interactants can be evaluated. For example, a microphysiometer can be used to detect the interaction of a compound with 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 without the labeling of either the compound or the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577. McConnell et al. (1992) Science 257:1906–1912. As used herein, a “microphysiometer” (e.g., Cytosensor) is an analytical instrument that measures the rate at which a cell acidifies its environment using a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS). Changes in this acidification rate can be used as an indicator of the interaction between a compound and 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577.

In yet another embodiment, a cell-free assay is provided in which a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or biologically active portion thereof is contacted with a test compound and the ability of the test compound to bind to the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or biologically active portion thereof is evaluated. Preferred biologically active portions of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins to be used in assays of the present invention include fragments which participate in interactions with non-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecules, e.g., fragments with high surface probability scores.

Soluble and/or membrane-bound forms of isolated proteins (e.g., 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins or biologically active portions thereof) can be used in the cell-free assays of the invention. When membrane-bound forms of the protein are used, it may be desirable to utilize a solubilizing agent. Examples of such solubilizing agents include non-ionic detergents such as n-octylglucoside, n-dodecylglucoside, n-dodecylmaltoside, octanoyl-N-methylglucamide, decanoyl-N-methylglucamide, Triton® X-100, Triton® X-114, Thesit®, Isotridecypoly(ethylene glycol ether)_(n), 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylamminio]-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS), 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylamminio]-2-hydroxy-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPSO), or N-dodecyl=N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propane sulfonate.

Cell-free assays involve preparing a reaction mixture of the target gene protein and the test compound under conditions and for a time sufficient to allow the two components to interact and bind, thus forming a complex that can be removed and/or detected.

The interaction between two molecules can also be detected, e.g., using fluorescence energy transfer (FET) (see, for example, Lakowicz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,169; Stavrianopoulos, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,103). A fluorophore label on the first, ‘donor’ molecule is selected such that its emitted fluorescent energy will be absorbed by a fluorescent label on a second, ‘acceptor’ molecule, which in turn is able to fluoresce due to the absorbed energy. Alternately, the ‘donor’ protein molecule can simply utilize the natural fluorescent energy of tryptophan residues. Labels are chosen that emit different wavelengths of light, such that the ‘acceptor’ molecule label can be differentiated from that of the ‘donor’. Since the efficiency of energy transfer between the labels is related to the distance separating the molecules, the spatial relationship between the molecules can be assessed. In a situation in which binding occurs between the molecules, the fluorescent emission of the ‘acceptor’ molecule label in the assay should be maximal. An FET binding event can be conveniently measured through standard fluorometric detection means well known in the art (e.g., using a fluorimeter).

In another embodiment, determining the ability of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein to bind to a target molecule can be accomplished using real-time Biomolecular Interaction Analysis (BIA) (see, e.g., Sjolander and Urbaniczky (1991) Anal. Chem. 63:2338–2345 and Szabo et al. (1995) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 5:699–705). “Surface plasmon resonance” or “BIA” detects biospecific interactions in real time, without labeling any of the interactants (e.g., BIAcore). Changes in the mass at the binding surface (indicative of a binding event) result in alterations of the refractive index of light near the surface (the optical phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance (SPR)), resulting in a detectable signal which can be used as an indication of real-time reactions between biological molecules.

In one embodiment, the target gene product or the test substance is anchored onto a solid phase. The target gene product/test compound complexes anchored on the solid phase can be detected at the end of the reaction. Preferably, the target gene product can be anchored onto a solid surface, and the test compound, (which is not anchored), can be labeled, either directly or indirectly, with detectable labels discussed herein.

It may be desirable to immobilize either 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577, an anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibody or its target molecule to facilitate separation of complexed from uncomplexed forms of one or both of the proteins, as well as to accommodate automation of the assay. Binding of a test compound to a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, or interaction of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein with a target molecule in the presence and absence of a candidate compound, can be accomplished in any vessel suitable for containing the reactants. Examples of such vessels include microtiter plates, test tubes, and micro-centrifuge tubes. In one embodiment, a fusion protein can be provided which adds a domain that allows one or both of the proteins to be bound to a matrix. For example, glutathione-S-transferase/27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 fusion proteins or glutathione-S-transferase/target fusion proteins can be adsorbed onto glutathione sepharose beads (Sigma Chemical, St. Louis, Mo.) or glutathione derivatized microtiter plates, which are then combined with the test compound or the test compound and either the non-adsorbed target protein or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, and the mixture incubated under conditions conducive to complex formation (e.g., at physiological conditions for salt and pH).

Following incubation, the beads or microtiter plate wells are washed to remove any unbound components, the matrix immobilized in the case of beads, complex determined either directly or indirectly, for example, as described above. Alternatively, the complexes can be dissociated from the matrix, and the level of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 binding or activity determined using standard techniques.

Other techniques for immobilizing either a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or a target molecule on matrices include using conjugation of biotin and streptavidin. Biotinylated 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or target molecules can be prepared from biotin-NHS (N-hydroxy-succinimide) using techniques known in the art (e.g., biotinylation kit, Pierce Chemicals, Rockford, Ill.), and immobilized in the wells of streptavidin-coated 96 well plates (Pierce Chemical).

In order to conduct the assay, the non-immobilized component is added to the coated surface containing the anchored component. After the reaction is complete, unreacted components are removed (e.g., by washing) under conditions such that any complexes formed will remain immobilized on the solid surface. The detection of complexes anchored on the solid surface can be accomplished in a number of ways. Where the previously non-immobilized component is pre-labeled, the detection of label immobilized on the surface indicates that complexes were formed. Where the previously non-immobilized component is not pre-labeled, an indirect label can be used to detect complexes anchored on the surface; e.g., using a labeled antibody specific or selective for the immobilized component (the antibody, in turn, can be directly labeled or indirectly labeled with, e.g., a labeled anti-Ig antibody).

In one embodiment, this assay is performed utilizing antibodies reactive with 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or target molecules but which do not interfere with binding of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein to its target molecule. Such antibodies can be derivatized to the wells of the plate, and unbound target or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein trapped in the wells by antibody conjugation. Methods for detecting such complexes, in addition to those described above for the GST-immobilized complexes, include immunodetection of complexes using antibodies reactive with the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or target molecule, as well as enzyme-linked assays which rely on detecting an enzymatic activity associated with the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or target molecule.

Alternatively, cell free assays can be conducted in a liquid phase. In such an assay, the reaction products are separated from unreacted components, by any of a number of standard techniques, including but not limited to: differential centrifugation (see, for example, Rivas and Minton (1993) Trends Biochem Sci 18:284–7); chromatography (gel filtration chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography); electrophoresis (see, e.g., Ausubel et al., eds. (1999) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, J. Wiley, New York.); and immunoprecipitation (see, for example, Ausubel et al., eds. (1999) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, J. Wiley, New York). Such resins and chromatographic techniques are known to one skilled in the art (see, e.g., Heegaard (1998) J Mol Recognit 11:141–8; Hage and Tweed (1997) J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl. 699:499–525). Further, fluorescence energy transfer can also be conveniently utilized, as described herein, to detect binding without further purification of the complex from solution.

In a preferred embodiment, the assay includes contacting the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or biologically active portion thereof with a known compound which binds 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 to form an assay mixture, contacting the assay mixture with a test compound, and determining the ability of the test compound to interact with a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, wherein determining the ability of the test compound to interact with a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein includes determining the ability of the test compound to preferentially bind to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 or biologically active portion thereof, or to modulate the activity of a target molecule, as compared to the known compound.

The target gene products of the invention can, in vivo, interact with one or more cellular or extracellular macromolecules, such as proteins. For the purposes of this discussion, such cellular and extracellular macromolecules are referred to herein as “binding partners.” Compounds that disrupt such interactions can be useful in regulating the activity of the target gene product. Such compounds can include, but are not limited to molecules such as antibodies, peptides, and small molecules. The preferred target genes/products for use in this embodiment are the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 genes herein identified. In an alternative embodiment, the invention provides methods for determining the ability of the test compound to modulate the activity of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein through modulation of the activity of a downstream effector of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552, 65577 or 56919 target molecule. For example, the activity of the effector molecule on an appropriate target can be determined, or the binding of the effector to an appropriate target can be determined, as previously described.

To identify compounds that interfere with the interaction between the target gene product and its cellular or extracellular binding partner(s), a reaction mixture containing the target gene product and the binding partner is prepared, under conditions and for a time sufficient, to allow the two products to form complex. In order to test an inhibitory agent, the reaction mixture is provided in the presence and absence of the test compound. The test compound can be initially included in the reaction mixture, or can be added at a time subsequent to the addition of the target gene and its cellular or extracellular binding partner. Control reaction mixtures are incubated without the test compound or with a placebo. The formation of any complexes between the target gene product and the cellular or extracellular binding partner is then detected. The formation of a complex in the control reaction, but not in the reaction mixture containing the test compound, indicates that the compound interferes with the interaction of the target gene product and the interactive binding partner.

Additionally, complex formation within reaction mixtures containing the test compound and normal target gene product can also be compared to complex formation within reaction mixtures containing the test compound and mutant target gene product. This comparison can be important in those cases wherein it is desirable to identify compounds that disrupt interactions of mutant but not normal target gene products.

These assays can be conducted in a heterogeneous or homogeneous format. Heterogeneous assays involve anchoring either the target gene product or the binding partner onto a solid phase, and detecting complexes anchored on the solid phase at the end of the reaction. In homogeneous assays, the entire reaction is carried out in a liquid phase. In either approach, the order of addition of reactants can be varied to obtain different information about the compounds being tested. For example, test compounds that interfere with the interaction between the target gene products and the binding partners, e.g., by competition, can be identified by conducting the reaction in the presence of the test substance. Alternatively, test compounds that disrupt preformed complexes, e.g., compounds with higher binding constants that displace one of the components from the complex, can be tested by adding the test compound to the reaction mixture after complexes have been formed. The various formats are briefly described below.

In a heterogeneous assay system, either the target gene product or the interactive cellular or extracellular binding partner, is anchored onto a solid surface (e.g., a microtiter plate), while the non-anchored species is labeled, either directly or indirectly. The anchored species can be immobilized by non-covalent or covalent attachments. Alternatively, an immobilized antibody specific or selective for the species to be anchored can be used to anchor the species to the solid surface.

In order to conduct the assay, the partner of the immobilized species is exposed to the coated surface with or without the test compound. After the reaction is complete, unreacted components are removed (e.g., by washing) and any complexes formed will remain immobilized on the solid surface. Where the non-immobilized species is pre-labeled, the detection of label immobilized on the surface indicates that complexes were formed. Where the non-immobilized species is not pre-labeled, an indirect label can be used to detect complexes anchored on the surface; e.g., using a labeled antibody specific or selective for the initially non-immobilized species (the antibody, in turn, can be directly labeled or indirectly labeled with, e.g., a labeled anti-Ig antibody). Depending upon the order of addition of reaction components, test compounds that inhibit complex formation or that disrupt preformed complexes can be detected.

Alternatively, the reaction can be conducted in a liquid phase in the presence or absence of the test compound, the reaction products separated from unreacted components, and complexes detected; e.g., using an immobilized antibody specific or selective for one of the binding components to anchor any complexes formed in solution, and a labeled antibody specific or selective for the other partner to detect anchored complexes. Again, depending upon the order of addition of reactants to the liquid phase, test compounds that inhibit complex or that disrupt preformed complexes can be identified.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a homogeneous assay can be used. For example, a preformed complex of the target gene product and the interactive cellular or extracellular binding partner product is prepared in that either the target gene products or their binding partners are labeled, but the signal generated by the label is quenched due to complex formation (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,496 that utilizes this approach for immunoassays). The addition of a test substance that competes with and displaces one of the species from the preformed complex will result in the generation of a signal above background. In this way, test substances that disrupt target gene product-binding partner interaction can be identified.

In yet another aspect, the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins can be used as “bait proteins” in a two-hybrid assay or three-hybrid assay (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,317; Zervos et al. (1993) Cell 72:223–232; Madura et al. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268:12046–12054; Bartel et al. (1993) Biotechniques 14:920–924; Iwabuchi et al. (1993) Oncogene 8:1693–1696; and Brent WO94/10300), to identify other proteins, which bind to or interact with 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 (“27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-binding proteins” or “27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-bp”) and are involved in 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity. Such 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-bps can be activators or inhibitors of signals by the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552, 65577 or 56919 targets as, for example, downstream elements of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-mediated signaling pathway.

The two-hybrid system is based on the modular nature of most transcription factors, which consist of separable DNA-binding and activation domains. Briefly, the assay utilizes two different DNA constructs. In one construct, the gene that codes for a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein is fused to a gene encoding the DNA binding domain of a known transcription factor (e.g., GAL-4). In the other construct, a DNA sequence, from a library of DNA sequences, that encodes an unidentified protein (“prey” or “sample”) is fused to a gene that codes for the activation domain of the known transcription factor. (Alternatively the: 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein can be the fused to the activator domain.) If the “bait” and the “prey” proteins are able to interact, in vivo, forming a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-dependent complex, the DNA-binding and activation domains of the transcription factor are brought into close proximity. This proximity allows transcription of a reporter gene (e.g., lacZ) which is operably linked to a transcriptional regulatory site responsive to the transcription factor. Expression of the reporter gene can be detected and cell colonies containing the functional transcription factor can be isolated and used to obtain the cloned gene which encodes the protein which interacts with the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein.

In another embodiment, modulators of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression are identified. For example, a cell or cell free mixture is contacted with a candidate compound and the expression of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA or protein evaluated relative to the level of expression of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA or protein in the absence of the candidate compound. When expression of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA or protein is greater in the presence of the candidate compound than in its absence, the candidate compound is identified as a stimulator of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA or protein expression. Alternatively, when expression of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA or protein is less (statistically significantly less) in the presence of the candidate compound than in its absence, the candidate compound is identified as an inhibitor of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA or protein expression. The level of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA or protein expression can be determined by methods described herein for detecting 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA or protein.

In another aspect, the invention pertains to a combination of two or more of the assays described herein. For example, a modulating agent can be identified using a cell-based or a cell free assay, and the ability of the agent to modulate the activity of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein can be confirmed in vivo, e.g., in an animal such as an animal model for aberrant or deficient phospholipase activity, serine carboxypeptidase activity, trypsin-like serine protease activity, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, ubiquitin-protein ligase activity, protein kinase activity, hydrolase activity or matrix metalloproteinase activity.

This invention further pertains to novel agents identified by the above-described screening assays. Accordingly, it is within the scope of this invention to further use an agent identified as described herein (e.g., a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 modulating agent, an antisense 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid molecule, a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-specific antibody, or a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-binding partner) in an appropriate animal model to determine the efficacy, toxicity, side effects, or mechanism of action, of treatment with such an agent. Furthermore, novel agents identified by the above-described screening assays can be used for treatments as described herein.

Detection Assays

Portions or fragments of the nucleic acid sequences identified herein can be used as polynucleotide reagents. For example, these sequences can be used to: (i) map their respective genes on a chromosome e.g., to locate gene regions associated with genetic disease or to associate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 with a disease; (ii) identify an individual from a minute biological sample (tissue typing); and (iii) aid in forensic identification of a biological sample. These applications are described in the subsections below.

Chromosome Mapping

The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleotide sequences or portions thereof can be used to map the location of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 genes on a chromosome. This process is called chromosome mapping. Chromosome mapping is useful in correlating the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequences with genes associated with disease.

Briefly, 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 genes can be mapped to chromosomes by preparing PCR primers (preferably 15–25 bp in length) from the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleotide sequences. These primers can then be used for PCR screening of somatic cell hybrids containing individual human chromosomes. Only those hybrids containing the human gene corresponding to the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequences will yield an amplified fragment.

A panel of somatic cell hybrids in which each cell line contains either a single human chromosome or a small number of human chromosomes, and a full set of mouse chromosomes, can allow easy mapping of individual genes to specific human chromosomes. (D'Eustachio et al. (1983) Science 220:919–924).

Other mapping strategies e.g., in situ hybridization (described in Fan et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:6223–27), pre-screening with labeled flow-sorted chromosomes, and pre-selection by hybridization to chromosome specific cDNA libraries can be used to map 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 to a chromosomal location.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of a DNA sequence to a metaphase chromosomal spread can further be used to provide a precise chromosomal location in one step. The FISH technique can be used with a DNA sequence as short as 500 or 600 bases. However, clones larger than 1,000 bases have a higher likelihood of binding to a unique chromosomal location with sufficient signal intensity for simple detection. Preferably 1,000 bases, and more preferably 2,000 bases will suffice to get good results at a reasonable amount of time. For a review of this technique, see Verma et al. (1988) Human Chromosomes: A Manual of Basic Techniques, Pergamon Press, New York).

Reagents for chromosome mapping can be used individually to mark a single chromosome or a single site on that chromosome, or panels of reagents can be used for marking multiple sites and/or multiple chromosomes. Reagents corresponding to noncoding regions of the genes actually are preferred for mapping purposes. Coding sequences are more likely to be conserved within gene families, thus increasing the chance of cross hybridizations during chromosomal mapping.

Once a sequence has been mapped to a precise chromosomal location, the physical position of the sequence on the chromosome can be correlated with genetic map data. (Such data are found, for example, in McKusick, Mendelian Inheritance in Man, available on-line through Johns Hopkins University Welch Medical Library). The relationship between a gene and a disease, mapped to the same chromosomal region, can then be identified through linkage analysis (co-inheritance of physically adjacent genes), described in, for example, Egeland et al. (1987) Nature, 325:783–787.

Moreover, differences in the DNA sequences between individuals affected and unaffected with a disease associated with the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene, can be determined. If a mutation is observed in some or all of the affected individuals but not in any unaffected individuals, then the mutation is likely to be the causative agent of the particular disease. Comparison of affected and unaffected individuals generally involves first looking for structural alterations in the chromosomes, such as deletions or translocations that are visible from chromosome spreads or detectable using PCR based on that DNA sequence. Ultimately, complete sequencing of genes from several individuals can be performed to confirm the presence of a mutation and to distinguish mutations from polymorphisms.

Tissue Typing

27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequences can be used to identify individuals from biological samples using, e.g., restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). In this technique, an individual's genomic DNA is digested with one or more restriction enzymes, the fragments separated, e.g., in a Southern blot, and probed to yield bands for identification. The sequences of the present invention are useful as additional DNA markers for RFLP (described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,057).

Furthermore, the sequences of the present invention can also be used to determine the actual base-by-base DNA sequence of selected portions of an individual's genome. Thus, the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleotide sequences described herein can be used to prepare two PCR primers from the 5′ and 3′ ends of the sequences. These primers can then be used to amplify an individual's DNA and subsequently sequence it. Panels of corresponding DNA sequences from individuals, prepared in this manner, can provide unique individual identifications, as each individual will have a unique set of such DNA sequences due to allelic differences.

Allelic variation occurs to some degree in the coding regions of these sequences, and to a greater degree in the noncoding regions. Each of the sequences described herein can, to some degree, be used as a standard against which DNA from an individual can be compared for identification purposes. Because greater numbers of polymorphisms occur in the noncoding regions, fewer sequences are necessary to differentiate individuals. The noncoding sequences of SEQ ID NO:1, 4, 11, 20, 25, 29, 35, 38, 41, 73, 76 or 86 can provide positive individual identification with a panel of perhaps 10 to 1,000 primers which each yield a noncoding amplified sequence of 100 bases. If predicted coding sequences, such as those in SEQ ID NO: 3, 6, 13, 22, 27, 31, 37, 40, 43, 75, 78 or 88 are used, a more appropriate number of primers for positive individual identification would be 500–2,000.

If a panel of reagents from 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleotide sequences described herein is used to generate a unique identification database for an individual, those same reagents can later be used to identify tissue from that individual. Using the unique identification database, positive identification of the individual, living or dead, can be made from extremely small tissue samples.

Use of Partial 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 Sequences in Forensic Biology

DNA-based identification techniques can also be used in forensic biology. To make such an identification, PCR technology can be used to amplify DNA sequences taken from very small biological samples such as tissues, e.g., hair or skin, or body fluids, e.g., blood, saliva, or semen found at a crime scene. The amplified sequence can then be compared to a standard, thereby allowing identification of the origin of the biological sample.

The sequences of the present invention can be used to provide polynucleotide reagents, e.g., PCR primers, targeted to specific loci in the human genome, which can enhance the reliability of DNA-based forensic identifications by, for example, providing another “identification marker” (i.e. another DNA sequence that is unique to a particular individual). As mentioned above, actual base sequence information can be used for identification as an accurate alternative to patterns formed by restriction enzyme generated fragments. Sequences targeted to noncoding regions of SEQ ID NO:1, 4, 11, 20, 25, 29, 35, 38, 41, 73, 76 or 86 (e.g., fragments derived from the noncoding regions of SEQ ID NO: 1, 4, 11, 20, 25, 29, 35, 38, 41, 73, 76 or 86 having a length of at least 20 bases, preferably at least 30 bases) are particularly appropriate for this use.

The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleotide sequences described herein can further be used to provide polynucleotide reagents, e.g., labeled or labelable probes which can be used in, for example, an in situ hybridization technique, to identify a specific tissue. This can be very useful in cases where a forensic pathologist is presented with a tissue of unknown origin. Panels of such 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 probes can be used to identify tissue by species and/or by organ type.

In a similar fashion, these reagents, e.g., 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 primers or probes can be used to screen tissue culture for contamination (i.e. screen for the presence of a mixture of different types of cells in a culture).

Predictive Medicine

The present invention also pertains to the field of predictive medicine in which diagnostic assays, prognostic assays, and monitoring clinical trials are used for prognostic (predictive) purposes to thereby treat an individual.

Generally, the invention provides, a method of determining if a subject is at risk for a disorder related to a lesion in or the misexpression of a gene which encodes 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577.

Such disorders include, e.g., a disorder associated with the misexpression of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene; a cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorder, brain, blood vessel, platelet, breast, colon, kidney, lung, ovarian, prostate, hematopoeitic, pancreatic, skeletal muscle, testicular, skin, hormonal, associated with bone metabolism, immune e.g., inflammatory, cardiovascular, endothelial cell, liver, viral diseases, pain, metabolic, anemias, angiogenesis, neoplastic, endocrine, neurological or heart disorder.

The method includes one or more of the following: detecting, in a tissue of the subject, the presence or absence of a mutation which affects the expression of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene, or detecting the presence or absence of a mutation in a region which controls the expression of the gene, e.g., a mutation in the 5′ control region; detecting, in a tissue of the subject, the presence or absence of a mutation which alters the structure of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene; detecting, in a tissue of the subject, the misexpression of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene, at the mRNA level, e.g., detecting a non-wild type level of an mRNA; or detecting, in a tissue of the subject, the misexpression of the gene, at the protein level, e.g., detecting a non-wild type level of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide.

In preferred embodiments the method includes: ascertaining the existence of at least one of: a deletion of one or more nucleotides from the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene; an insertion of one or more nucleotides into the gene, a point mutation, e.g., a substitution of one or more nucleotides of the gene, a gross chromosomal rearrangement of the gene, e.g., a translocation, inversion, or deletion.

For example, detecting the genetic lesion can include: (i) providing a probe/primer including an oligonucleotide containing a region of nucleotide sequence which hybridizes to a sense or antisense sequence from SEQ ID NO:1, 4, 11, 20, 25, 29, 35, 38, 41, 73, 76 or 86, or naturally occurring mutants thereof or 5′ or 3′ flanking sequences naturally associated with the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene; (ii) exposing the probe/primer to nucleic acid of the tissue; and detecting, by hybridization, e.g., in situ hybridization, of the probe/primer to the nucleic acid, the presence or absence of the genetic lesion.

In preferred embodiments detecting the misexpression includes ascertaining the existence of at least one of: an alteration in the level of a messenger RNA transcript of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene; the presence of a non-wild type splicing pattern of a messenger RNA transcript of the gene; or a non-wild type level of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577.

Methods of the invention can be used prenatally or to determine if a subject's offspring will be at risk for a disorder.

In preferred embodiments the method includes determining the structure of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene, an abnormal structure being indicative of risk for the disorder.

In preferred embodiments the method includes contacting a sample from the subject with an antibody to the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or a nucleic acid, which hybridizes specifically with the gene. These and other embodiments are discussed below.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Assays

The presence, level, or absence of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or nucleic acid in a biological sample can be evaluated by obtaining a biological sample from a test subject and contacting the biological sample with a compound or an agent capable of detecting 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or nucleic acid (e.g., mRNA, genomic DNA) that encodes 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein such that the presence of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or nucleic acid is detected in the biological sample. The term “biological sample” includes tissues, cells and biological fluids isolated from a subject, as well as tissues, cells and fluids present within a subject. A preferred biological sample is serum. The level of expression of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene can be measured in a number of ways, including, but not limited to: measuring the mRNA encoded by the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 genes; measuring the amount of protein encoded by the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 genes; or measuring the activity of the protein encoded by the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 genes.

The level of mRNA corresponding to the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene in a cell can be determined both by in situ and by in vitro formats.

The isolated mRNA can be used in hybridization or amplification assays that include, but are not limited to, Southern or Northern analyses, polymerase chain reaction analyses and probe arrays. One preferred diagnostic method for the detection of mRNA levels involves contacting the isolated mRNA with a nucleic acid molecule (probe) that can hybridize to the mRNA encoded by the gene being detected. The nucleic acid probe can be, for example, a full-length 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid, such as the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 1, 4, 11, 20, 25, 29, 35, 38, 41, 73, 76 or -86, or a portion thereof, such as an oligonucleotide of at least 7, 15, 30, 50, 100, 250 or 500 nucleotides in length and sufficient to specifically hybridize under stringent conditions to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA or genomic DNA. Other suitable probes for use in the diagnostic assays are described herein.

In one format, mRNA (or cDNA) is immobilized on a surface and contacted with the probes, for example by running the isolated mRNA on an agarose gel and transferring the mRNA from the gel to a membrane, such as nitrocellulose. In an alternative format, the probes are immobilized on a surface and the mRNA (or cDNA) is contacted with the probes, for example, in a two-dimensional gene chip array. A skilled artisan can adapt known mRNA detection methods for use in detecting the level of mRNA encoded by the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 genes.

The level of mRNA in a sample that is encoded by one of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 can be evaluated with nucleic acid amplification, e.g., by rtPCR (Mullis (1987) U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202), ligase chain reaction (Barany (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:189–193), self sustained sequence replication (Guatelli et al., (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:1874–1878), transcriptional amplification system (Kwoh et al., (1989), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:1173–1177), Q-Beta Replicase (Lizardi et al., (1988) Bio/Technology 6:1197), rolling circle replication (Lizardi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,033) or any other nucleic acid amplification method, followed by the detection of the amplified molecules using techniques known in the art. As used herein, amplification primers are defined as being a pair of nucleic acid molecules that can anneal to 5′ or 3′ regions of a gene (plus and minus strands., respectively, or vice-versa) and contain a short region in between. In general, amplification primers are from about 10 to 30 nucleotides in length and flank a region from about 50 to 200 nucleotides in length. Under appropriate conditions and with appropriate reagents, such primers permit the amplification of a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence flanked by the primers.

For in situ methods, a cell or tissue sample can be prepared/processed and immobilized on a support, typically a glass slide, and then contacted with a probe that can hybridize to mRNA that encodes the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene being analyzed.

In another embodiment, the methods further contacting a control sample with a compound or agent capable of detecting 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA, or genomic DNA, and comparing the presence of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA or genomic DNA in the control sample with the presence of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA or genomic DNA in the test sample.

A variety of methods can be used to determine the level of protein encoded by 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577. In general, these methods include contacting an agent that selectively binds to the protein, such as an antibody with a sample, to evaluate the level of protein in the sample. In a preferred embodiment, the antibody bears a detectable label. Antibodies can be polyclonal, or more preferably, monoclonal. An intact antibody, or a fragment thereof (e.g., Fab or F(ab′)₂) can be used. The term “labeled”, with regard to the probe or antibody, is intended to encompass direct labeling of the probe or antibody by coupling (i.e., physically linking) a detectable substance to the probe or antibody, as well as indirect labeling of the probe or antibody by reactivity with a detectable substance. Examples of detectable substances are provided herein.

The detection methods can be used to detect 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein in a biological sample in vitro as well as in vivo. In vitro techniques for detection of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein include enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), immunoprecipitations, immunofluorescence, enzyme immunoassay (EIA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), and Western blot analysis. In vivo techniques for detection of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein include introducing into a subject a labeled anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibody. For example, the antibody can be labeled with a radioactive marker whose presence and location in a subject can be detected by standard imaging techniques.

In another embodiment, the methods further include contacting the control sample with a compound or agent capable of detecting 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein, and comparing the presence of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein in the control sample with the presence of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein in the test sample.

The invention also includes kits for detecting the presence of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 in a biological sample. For example, the kit can include a compound or agent capable of detecting 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or mRNA in a biological sample; and a standard. The compound or agent can be packaged in a suitable container. The kit can further comprise instructions for using the kit to detect 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or nucleic acid.

For antibody-based kits, the kit can include: (1) a first antibody (e.g., attached to a solid support) which binds to a polypeptide corresponding to a marker of the invention; and, optionally, (2) a second, different antibody which binds to either the polypeptide or the first antibody and is conjugated to a detectable agent.

For oligonucleotide-based kits, the kit can include: (1) an oligonucleotide, e.g., a detectably labeled oligonucleotide, which hybridizes to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide corresponding to a marker of the invention or (2) a pair of primers useful for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule corresponding to a marker of the invention. The kit can also includes a buffering agent, a preservative, or a protein stabilizing agent. The kit can also includes components necessary for detecting the detectable agent (e.g., an enzyme or a substrate). The kit can also contain a control sample or a series of control samples which can be assayed and compared to the test sample contained. Each component of the kit can be enclosed within an individual container and all of the various containers can be within a single package, along with instructions for interpreting the results of the assays performed using the kit.

The diagnostic methods described herein can identify subjects having, or at risk of developing, a disease or disorder associated with misexpressed or aberrant or unwanted 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression or activity. As used herein, the term “unwanted” includes an unwanted phenomenon involved in a biological response such as pain or deregulated cell proliferation.

In one embodiment, a disease or disorder associated with aberrant or unwanted 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression or activity is identified. A test sample is obtained from a subject and 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or nucleic acid (e.g., mRNA or genomic DNA) is evaluated, wherein the level, e.g., the presence or absence, of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or nucleic acid is diagnostic for a subject having or at risk of developing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant or unwanted 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression or activity. As used herein, a “test sample” refers to a biological sample obtained from a subject of interest, including a biological fluid (e.g., serum), cell sample, or tissue.

The prognostic assays described herein can be used to determine whether a subject can be administered an agent (e.g., an agonist, antagonist, peptidomimetic, protein, peptide, nucleic acid, small molecule, or other drug candidate) to treat a disease or disorder associated with aberrant or unwanted 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression or activity. For example, such methods can be used to determine whether a subject can be effectively treated with an agent for a cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorder, brain, blood vessel, platelet, breast, colon, kidney, lung, ovarian, prostate, hematopoeitic, pancreatic, skeletal muscle, testicular, skin, hormonal, associated with bone metabolism, immune e.g., inflammatory, cardiovascular, endothelial cell, liver, viral diseases, pain, metabolic, anemias, angiogenesis, neoplastic, endocrine, neurological or heart disorder.

The methods of the invention can also be used to detect genetic alterations in a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene, thereby determining if a subject with the altered gene is at risk for a disorder characterized by misregulation in 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein activity or nucleic acid expression, such as a cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorder, brain, blood vessel, platelet, breast, colon, kidney, lung, ovarian, prostate, hematopoeitic, pancreatic, skeletal muscle, testicular, skin, hormonal, associated with bone metabolism, immune e.g., inflammatory, cardiovascular, endothelial cell, liver, viral diseases, pain, metabolic, anemias, angiogenesis, neoplastic, endocrine, neurological or heart disorder. In preferred embodiments, the methods include detecting, in a sample from the subject, the presence or absence of a genetic alteration characterized by at least one of an alteration affecting the integrity of a gene encoding a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-protein, or the mis-expression of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene. For example, such genetic alterations can be detected by ascertaining the existence of at least one of 1) a deletion of one or more nucleotides from a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene; 2) an addition of one or more nucleotides to a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene; 3) a substitution of one or more nucleotides of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene, 4) a chromosomal rearrangement of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene; 5) an alteration in the level of a messenger RNA transcript of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene, 6) aberrant modification of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene, such as of the methylation pattern of the genomic DNA, 7) the presence of a non-wild type splicing pattern of a messenger RNA transcript of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene, 8) a non-wild type level of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-protein, 9) allelic loss of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene, and 10) inappropriate post-translational modification of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-protein.

An alteration can be detected without a probe/primer in a polymerase chain reaction, such as anchor PCR or RACE PCR, or, alternatively, in a ligation chain reaction (LCR), the latter of which can be particularly useful for detecting point mutations in the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-gene. This method can include the steps of collecting a sample of cells from a subject, isolating nucleic acid (e.g., genomic, mRNA or both) from the sample, contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more primers which specifically hybridize to a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene under conditions such that hybridization and amplification of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene (if present) occurs, and detecting the presence or absence of an amplification product, or detecting the size of the amplification product and comparing the length to a control sample. It is anticipated that PCR and/or LCR may be desirable to use as a preliminary amplification step in conjunction with any of the techniques used for detecting mutations described herein. Alternatively, other amplification methods described herein or known in the art can be used.

In another embodiment, mutations in a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene from a sample cell can be identified by detecting alterations in restriction enzyme cleavage patterns. For example, sample and control DNA is isolated, amplified (optionally), digested with one or more restriction endonucleases, and fragment length sizes are determined, e.g., by gel electrophoresis and compared. Differences in fragment length sizes between sample and control DNA indicates mutations in the sample DNA. Moreover, the use of sequence specific ribozymes (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,531) can be used to score for the presence of specific mutations by development or loss of a ribozyme cleavage site.

In other embodiments, genetic mutations in 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 can be identified by hybridizing a sample and control nucleic acids, e.g., DNA or RNA, two dimensional arrays, e.g., chip based arrays. Such arrays include a plurality of addresses, each of which is positionally distinguishable from the other. A different probe is located at each address of the plurality. The arrays can have a high density of addresses, e.g., can contain hundreds or thousands of oligonucleotides probes (Cronin et al. (1996) Human Mutation 7: 244–255; Kozal et al. (1996) Nature Medicine 2: 753–759). For example, genetic mutations in 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 can be identified in two dimensional arrays containing light-generated DNA probes as described in Cronin, M. T. et al. supra. Briefly, a first hybridization array of probes can be used to scan through long stretches of DNA in a sample and control to identify base changes between the sequences by making linear arrays of sequential overlapping probes. This step allows the identification of point mutations. This step is followed by a second hybridization array that allows the characterization of specific mutations by using smaller, specialized probe arrays complementary to all variants or mutations detected. Each mutation array is composed of parallel probe sets, one complementary to the wild-type gene and the other complementary to the mutant gene.

In yet another embodiment, any of a variety of sequencing reactions known in the art can be used to directly sequence the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene and detect mutations by comparing the sequence of the sample 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 with the corresponding wild-type (control) sequence. Automated sequencing procedures can be utilized when performing the diagnostic assays (Naeve et al. (1995) Biotechniques 19:448–53), including sequencing by mass spectrometry.

Other methods for detecting mutations in the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene include methods in which protection from cleavage agents is used to detect mismatched bases in RNA/RNA or RNA/DNA heteroduplexes (Myers et al. (1985) Science 230:1242; Cotton et al. (1988) Proc. Natl Acad Sci USA 85:4397; Saleeba et al. (1992) Methods Enzymol. 217:286–295).

In still another embodiment, the mismatch cleavage reaction employs one or more proteins that recognize mismatched base pairs in double-stranded DNA (so called “DNA mismatch repair” enzymes) in defined systems for detecting and mapping point mutations in 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 cDNAs obtained from samples of cells. For example, the mutY enzyme of E. coli cleaves A at G/A mismatches and the thymidine DNA glycosylase from HeLa cells cleaves T at G/T mismatches (Hsu et al. (1994) Carcinogenesis 15:1657–1662; U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,039).

In other embodiments, alterations in electrophoretic mobility will be used to identify mutations in 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 genes. For example, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) can be used to detect differences in electrophoretic mobility between mutant and wild type nucleic acids (Orita et al. (1989) Proc Natl. Acad. Sci USA: 86:2766, see also Cotton (1993) Mutat. Res. 285:125–144; and Hayashi (1992) Genet. Anal. Tech. Appl. 9:73–79). Single-stranded DNA fragments of sample and control 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acids will be denatured and allowed to renature. The secondary structure of single-stranded nucleic acids varies according to sequence, the resulting alteration in electrophoretic mobility enables the detection of even a single base change. The DNA fragments can be labeled or detected with labeled probes. The sensitivity of the assay can be enhanced by using RNA (rather than DNA), in which the secondary structure is more sensitive to a change in sequence. In a preferred embodiment, the subject method utilizes heteroduplex analysis to separate double stranded heteroduplex molecules on the basis of changes in electrophoretic mobility (Keen et al. (1991) Trends Genet 7:5).

In yet another embodiment, the movement of mutant or wild-type fragments in polyacrylamide gels containing a gradient of denaturant is assayed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) (Myers et al. (1985) Nature 313:495). When DGGE is used as the method of analysis, DNA will be modified to insure that it does not completely denature, for example by adding a GC clamp of approximately 40 bp of high-melting GC-rich DNA by PCR. In a further embodiment, a temperature gradient is used in place of a denaturing gradient to identify differences in the mobility of control and sample DNA (Rosenbaum and Reissner (1987) Biophys Chem 265:12753).

Examples of other techniques for detecting point mutations include, but are not limited to, selective oligonucleotide hybridization, selective amplification, or selective primer extension (Saiki et al. (1986) Nature 324:163); Saiki et al. (1989) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci USA 86:6230).

Alternatively, allele specific amplification technology which depends on selective PCR amplification can be used in conjunction with the instant invention. Oligonucleotides used as primers for specific amplification can carry the mutation of interest in the center of the molecule (so that amplification depends on differential hybridization) (Gibbs et al. (1989) Nucleic Acids Res. 17:2437–2448) or at the extreme 3′ end of one primer where, under appropriate conditions, mismatch can prevent, or reduce polymerase extension (Prossner (1993) Tibtech 11:238). In addition it may be desirable to introduce a novel restriction site in the region of the mutation to create cleavage-based detection (Gasparini et al. (1992) Mol. Cell Probes 6:1). It is anticipated that in certain embodiments amplification can also be performed using Taq ligase for amplification (Barany (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 88:189–93). In such cases, ligation will occur only if there is a perfect match at the 3′ end of the 5′ sequence making it possible to detect the presence of a known mutation at a specific site by looking for the presence or absence of amplification.

The methods described herein can be performed, for example, by utilizing pre-packaged diagnostic kits comprising at least one probe nucleic acid or antibody reagent described herein, which can be conveniently used, e.g., in clinical settings to diagnose patients exhibiting symptoms or family history of a disease or illness involving a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene.

Use of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 Molecules as Surrogate Markers

The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecules of the invention are also useful as markers of disorders or disease states, as markers for precursors of disease states, as markers for predisposition of disease states, as markers of drug activity, or as markers of the pharmacogenomic profile of a subject. Using the methods described herein, the presence, absence and/or quantity of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecules of the invention can be detected, and can be correlated with one or more biological states in vivo. For example, the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecules of the invention can serve as surrogate markers for one or more disorders or disease states or for conditions leading up to disease states. As used herein, a “surrogate marker” is an objective biochemical marker which correlates with the absence or presence of a disease or disorder, or with the progression of a disease or disorder (e.g., with the presence or absence of a tumor). The presence or quantity of such markers is independent of the disease. Therefore, these markers can serve to indicate whether a particular course of treatment is effective in lessening a disease state or disorder. Surrogate markers are of particular use when the presence or extent of a disease state or disorder is difficult to assess through standard methodologies (e.g., early stage tumors), or when an assessment of disease progression is desired before a potentially dangerous clinical endpoint is reached (e.g., an assessment of cardiovascular disease can be made using cholesterol levels as a surrogate marker, and an analysis of HIV infection can be made using HIV RNA levels as a surrogate marker, well in advance of the undesirable clinical outcomes of myocardial infarction or fully-developed AIDS). Examples of the use of surrogate markers in the art include: Koomen et al. (2000) J. Mass. Spectrom. 35: 258–264; and James (1994) AIDS Treatment News Archive 209.

The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecules of the invention are also useful as pharmacodynamic markers As used herein, a “pharmacodynamic marker” is an objective biochemical marker which correlates specifically with drug effects. The presence or quantity of a pharmacodynamic marker is not related to the disease state or disorder for which the drug is being administered; therefore, the presence or quantity of the marker is indicative of the presence or activity of the drug in a subject. For example, a pharmacodynamic marker can be indicative of the concentration of the drug in a biological tissue, in that the marker is either expressed or transcribed or not expressed or transcribed in that tissue in relationship to the level of the drug. In this fashion, the distribution or uptake of the drug can be monitored by the pharmacodynamic marker. Similarly, the presence or quantity of the pharmacodynamic marker can be related to the presence or quantity of the metabolic product of a drug, such that the presence or quantity of the marker is indicative of the relative breakdown rate of the drug in vivo. Pharmacodynamic markers are of particular use in increasing the sensitivity of detection of drug effects, particularly when the drug is administered in low doses. Since even a small amount of a drug can be sufficient to activate multiple rounds of marker (e.g., a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 marker) transcription or expression, the amplified marker can be in a quantity which is more readily detectable than the drug itself. Also, the marker can be more easily detected due to the nature of the marker itself; for example, using the methods described herein, anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibodies can be employed in an immune-based detection system for a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein marker, or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-specific radiolabeled probes can be used to detect a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA marker. Furthermore, the use of a pharmacodynamic marker can offer mechanism-based prediction of risk due to drug treatment beyond the range of possible direct observations. Examples of the use of pharmacodynamic markers in the art include: Matsuda et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,862; Hattis et al. (1991) Env. Health Perspect. 90: 229–238; Schentag (1999) Am. J. Health-Syst. Pharm. 56 Suppl. 3: S21–S24; and Nicolau (1999) Am. J. Health-Syst. Pharm. 56 Suppl. 3: S16–S20.

The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecules of the invention are also useful as pharmacogenomic markers. As used herein, a “pharmacogenomic marker” is an objective biochemical marker which correlates with a specific clinical drug response or susceptibility in a subject (see, e.g., McLeod et al. (1999) Eur. J. Cancer 35:1650–1652). The presence or quantity of the pharmacogenomic marker is related to the predicted response of the subject to a specific drug or class of drugs prior to administration of the drug. By assessing the presence or quantity of one or more pharmacogenomic markers in a subject, a drug therapy which is most appropriate for the subject, or which is predicted to have a greater degree of success, can be selected. For example, based on the presence or quantity of RNA, or protein (e.g., 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or RNA) for specific tumor markers in a subject, a drug or course of treatment can be selected that is optimized for the treatment of the specific tumor likely to be present in the subject. Similarly, the presence or absence of a specific sequence mutation in 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 DNA can correlate with a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 drug response. The use of pharmacogenomic markers therefore permits the application of the most appropriate treatment for each subject without having to administer the therapy.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The nucleic acid and polypeptides, fragments thereof, as well as anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibodies (also referred to herein as “active compounds”) of the invention can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions. Such compositions typically include the nucleic acid molecule, protein, or antibody and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As used herein the language “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceutical administration. Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the compositions.

A pharmaceutical composition is formulated to be compatible with its intended route of administration. Examples of routes of administration include parenteral, e.g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, oral (e.g., inhalation), transdermal (topical), transmucosal, and rectal administration. Solutions or suspensions used for parenteral, intradermal, or subcutaneous application can include the following components: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. pH can be adjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. The parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. For intravenous administration, suitable carriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, Cremophor EL™ (BASF, Parsippany, N.J.) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In all cases, the composition must be sterile and should be fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists. It should be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyetheylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. Prevention of the action of microorganisms can be achieved by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, ascorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as manitol, sorbitol, sodium chloride in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent which delays absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the active compound in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle which contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying and freeze-drying which yields a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.

Oral compositions generally include an inert diluent or an edible carrier. For the purpose of oral therapeutic administration, the active compound can be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of tablets, troches, or capsules, e.g., gelatin capsules. Oral compositions can also be prepared using a fluid carrier for use as a mouthwash. Pharmaceutically compatible binding agents, and/or adjuvant materials can be included as part of the composition. The tablets, pills, capsules, troches and the like can contain any of the following ingredients, or compounds of a similar nature: a binder such as microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin; an excipient such as starch or lactose, a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid, Primogel, or corn starch; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate or Sterotes; a glidant such as colloidal silicon dioxide; a sweetening agent such as sucrose or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate, or orange flavoring.

For administration by inhalation, the compounds are delivered in the form of an aerosol spray from pressured container or dispenser which contains a suitable propellant, e.g., a gas such as carbon dioxide, or a nebulizer.

Systemic administration can also be by transmucosal or transdermal means. For transmucosal or transdermal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art, and include, for example, for transmucosal administration, detergents, bile salts, and fusidic acid derivatives. Transmucosal administration can be accomplished through the use of nasal sprays or suppositories. For transdermal administration, the active compounds are formulated into ointments, salves, gels, or creams as generally known in the art.

The compounds can also be prepared in the form of suppositories (e.g., with conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter and other glycerides) or retention enemas for rectal delivery.

In one embodiment, the active compounds are prepared with carriers that will protect the compound against rapid elimination from the body, such as a controlled release formulation, including implants and microencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, and polylactic acid. Methods for preparation of such formulations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The materials can also be obtained commercially from Alza Corporation and Nova Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Liposomal suspensions (including liposomes targeted to infected cells with monoclonal antibodies to viral antigens) can also be used as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. These can be prepared according to methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,811.

It is advantageous to formulate oral or parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the subject to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier.

Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD₅₀ (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED₅₀ (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD₅₀/ED₅₀. Compounds which exhibit high therapeutic indices are preferred. While compounds that exhibit toxic side effects can be used, care should be taken to design a delivery system that targets such compounds to the site of affected tissue in order to minimize potential damage to uninfected cells and, thereby, reduce side effects.

The data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal studies can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosage of such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED₅₀ with little or no toxicity. The dosage can vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. For any compound used in the method of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from cell culture assays. A dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC₅₀ (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. Levels in plasma can be measured, for example, by high performance liquid chromatography.

As defined herein, a therapeutically effective amount of protein or polypeptide (i.e., an effective dosage) ranges from about 0.001 to 30 mg/kg body weight, preferably about 0.01 to 25 mg/kg body weight, more preferably about 0.1 to 20 mg/kg body weight, and even more preferably about 1 to 10 mg/kg, 2 to 9 mg/kg, 3 to 8 mg/kg, 4 to 7 mg/kg, or 5 to 6 mg/kg body weight. The protein or polypeptide can be administered one time per week for between about 1 to 10 weeks, preferably between 2 to 8 weeks, more preferably between about 3 to 7 weeks, and even more preferably for about 4, 5, or 6 weeks. The skilled artisan will appreciate that certain factors can influence the dosage and timing required to effectively treat a subject, including but not limited to the severity of the disease or disorder, previous treatments, the general health and/or age of the subject, and other diseases present. Moreover, treatment of a subject with a therapeutically effective amount of a protein, polypeptide, or antibody, unconjugated or conjugated as described herein, can include a single treatment or, preferably, can include a series of treatments.

For antibodies, the preferred dosage is 0.1 mg/kg of body weight (generally 10 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg). If the antibody is to act in the brain, a dosage of 50 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg is usually appropriate. Generally, partially human antibodies and fully human antibodies have a longer half-life within the human body than other antibodies. Accordingly, lower dosages and less frequent administration is often possible. Modifications such as lipidation can be used to stabilize antibodies and to enhance uptake and tissue penetration (e.g., into the brain). A method for lipidation of antibodies is described by Cruikshank et al. ((1997) J. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology 14:193).

The present invention encompasses agents which modulate expression or activity. An agent can, for example, be a small molecule. For example, such small molecules include, but are not limited to, peptides, peptidomimetics (e.g., peptoids), amino acids, amino acid analogs, polynucleotides, polynucleotide analogs, nucleotides, nucleotide analogs, organic or inorganic compounds (i.e., including heteroorganic and organometallic compounds) having a molecular weight less than about 10,000 grams per mole, organic or inorganic compounds having a molecular weight less than about 5,000 grams per mole, organic or inorganic compounds having a molecular weight less than about 1,000 grams per mole, organic or inorganic compounds having a molecular weight less than about 500 grams per mole, and salts, esters, and other pharmaceutically acceptable forms of such compounds.

Exemplary doses include milligram or microgram amounts of the small molecule per kilogram of subject or sample weight (e.g., about 1 microgram per kilogram to about 500 milligrams per kilogram, about 100 micrograms per kilogram to about 5 milligrams per kilogram, or about 1 microgram per kilogram to about 50 micrograms per kilogram. It is furthermore understood that appropriate doses of a small molecule depend upon the potency of the small molecule with respect to the expression or activity to be modulated. When one or more of these small molecules is to be administered to an animal (e.g., a human) in order to modulate expression or activity of a polypeptide or nucleic acid of the invention, a physician, veterinarian, or researcher can, for example, prescribe a relatively low dose at first, subsequently increasing the dose until an appropriate response is obtained. In addition, it is understood that the specific dose level for any particular animal subject will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health, gender, and diet of the subject, the time of administration, the route of administration, the rate of excretion, any drug combination, and the degree of expression or activity to be modulated.

The nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be inserted into vectors and used as gene therapy vectors. Gene therapy vectors can be delivered to a subject by, for example, intravenous injection, local administration (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,470) or by stereotactic injection (see e.g., Chen et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:3054–3057). The pharmaceutical preparation of the gene therapy vector can include the gene therapy vector in an acceptable diluent, or can comprise a slow release matrix in which the gene delivery vehicle is imbedded. Alternatively, where the complete gene delivery vector can be produced intact from recombinant cells, e.g., retroviral vectors, the pharmaceutical preparation can include one or more cells which produce the gene delivery system.

The pharmaceutical compositions can be included in a container, pack, or dispenser together with instructions for administration.

Methods of Treatment:

The present invention provides for both prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treating a subject at risk of (or susceptible to) a disorder or having a disorder associated with aberrant or unwanted 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression or activity. As used herein, the term “treatment” is defined as the application or administration of a therapeutic agent to a patient, or application or administration of a therapeutic agent to an isolated tissue or cell line from a patient, who has a disease, a symptom of disease or a predisposition toward a disease, with the purpose to cure, heal, alleviate, relieve, alter, remedy, ameliorate, improve or affect the disease, the symptoms of disease or the predisposition toward disease. A therapeutic agent includes, but is not limited to, small molecules, peptides, antibodies, ribozymes and antisense oligonucleotides.

With regards to both prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treatment, such treatments can be specifically tailored or modified, based on knowledge obtained from the field of pharmacogenomics. “Pharmacogenomics”, as used herein, refers to the application of genomics technologies such as gene sequencing, statistical genetics, and gene expression analysis to drugs in clinical development and on the market. More specifically, the term refers the study of how a patient's genes determine his or her response to a drug (e.g., a patient's “drug response phenotype”, or “drug response genotype”.) Thus, another aspect of the invention provides methods for tailoring an individual's prophylactic or therapeutic treatment with either the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecules of the present invention or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 modulators according to that individual's drug response genotype. Pharmacogenomics allows a clinician or physician to target prophylactic or therapeutic treatments to patients who will most benefit from the treatment and to avoid treatment of patients who will experience toxic drug-related side effects.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for preventing in a subject, a disease or condition associated with an aberrant or unwanted 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression or activity, by administering to the subject a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 or an agent which modulates 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression or at least one 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity. Subjects at risk for a disease which is caused or contributed to by aberrant or unwanted 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression or activity can be identified by, for example, any or a combination of diagnostic or prognostic assays as described herein. Administration of a prophylactic agent can occur prior to the manifestation of symptoms characteristic of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 aberrance, such that a disease or disorder is prevented or, alternatively, delayed in its progression. Depending on the type of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 aberrance, for example, a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577, 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 agonist or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antagonist agent can be used for treating the subject. The appropriate agent can be determined based on screening assays described herein.

It is possible that some 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 disorders can be caused, at least in part, by an abnormal level of gene product, or by the presence of a gene product exhibiting abnormal activity. As such, the reduction in the level and/or activity of such gene products would bring about the amelioration of disorder symptoms.

The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecules can act as novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents for controlling one or more of a cellular proliferative and/or differentiative disorder, brain, blood vessel, platelet, breast, colon, kidney, lung, ovarian, prostate, hematopoeitic, pancreatic, skeletal muscle, testicular, skin, hormonal, associated with bone metabolism, immune e.g., inflammatory, cardiovascular, endothelial cell, liver, viral diseases, pain, metabolic, anemias, angiogenesis, neoplastic, endocrine, neurological or heart disorder, all of which are described above.

As discussed, successful treatment of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 disorders can be brought about by techniques that serve to inhibit the expression or activity of target gene products. For example, compounds, e.g., an agent identified using an assays described above, that proves to exhibit negative modulatory activity, can be used in accordance with the invention to prevent and/or ameliorate symptoms of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 disorders. Such molecules can include, but are not limited to peptides, phosphopeptides, small organic or inorganic molecules, or antibodies (including, for example, polyclonal, monoclonal, humanized, human, anti-idiotypic, chimeric or single chain antibodies, and Fab, F(ab′)₂ and Fab expression library fragments, scFV molecules, and epitope-binding fragments thereof).

Further, antisense and ribozyme molecules that inhibit expression of the target gene can also be used in accordance with the invention to reduce the level of target gene expression, thus effectively reducing the level of target gene activity. Still further, triple helix molecules can be utilized in reducing the level of target gene activity. Antisense, ribozyme and triple helix molecules are discussed above.

It is possible that the use of antisense, ribozyme, and/or triple helix molecules to reduce or inhibit mutant gene expression can also reduce or inhibit the transcription (triple helix) and/or translation (antisense, ribozyme) of mRNA produced by normal target gene alleles, such that the concentration of normal target gene product present can be lower than is necessary for a normal phenotype. In such cases, nucleic acid molecules that encode and express target gene polypeptides exhibiting normal target gene activity can be introduced into cells via gene therapy method. Alternatively, in instances in that the target gene encodes an extracellular protein, it can be preferable to co-administer normal target gene protein into the cell or tissue in order to maintain the requisite level of cellular or tissue target gene activity.

Another method by which nucleic acid molecules can be utilized in treating or preventing a disease characterized by 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression is through the use of aptamer molecules specific for 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein. Aptamers are nucleic acid molecules having a tertiary structure which permits them to specifically or selectively bind to protein ligands (see, e.g., Osborne et al. (1997) Curr. Opin. Chem Biol. 1: 5–9; and Patel (1997) Curr Opin Chem Biol 1:32–46). Since nucleic acid molecules can in many cases be more conveniently introduced into target cells than therapeutic protein molecules can be, aptamers offer a method by which 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein activity can be specifically decreased without the introduction of drugs or other molecules which can have pluripotent effects.

Antibodies can be generated that are both specific for target gene product and that reduce target gene product activity. Such antibodies can, therefore, by administered in instances whereby negative modulatory techniques are appropriate for the treatment of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 disorders. For a description of antibodies, see the Antibody section above.

In circumstances wherein injection of an animal or a human subject with a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or epitope for stimulating antibody production is harmful to the subject, it is possible to generate an immune response against 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 through the use of anti-idiotypic antibodies (see, for example, Herlyn (1999) Ann Med 31:66–78; and Bhattacharya-Chatterjee and Foon (1998) Cancer Treat Res. 94:51–68). If an anti-idiotypic antibody is introduced into a mammal or human subject, it should stimulate the production of anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies, which should be specific to the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein.

Vaccines directed to a disease characterized by 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression can also be generated in this fashion.

In instances where the target antigen is intracellular and whole antibodies are used, internalizing antibodies can be preferred. Lipofectin or liposomes can be used to deliver the antibody or a fragment of the Fab region that binds to the target antigen into cells. Where fragments of the antibody are used, the smallest inhibitory fragment that binds to the target antigen is preferred. For example, peptides having an amino acid sequence corresponding to the Fv region of the antibody can be used. Alternatively, single chain neutralizing antibodies that bind to intracellular target antigens can also be administered. Such single chain antibodies can be administered, for example, by expressing nucleotide sequences encoding single-chain antibodies within the target cell population (see e.g., Marasco et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:7889–7893).

The identified compounds that inhibit target gene expression, synthesis and/or activity can be administered to a patient at therapeutically effective doses to prevent, treat or ameliorate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 disorders. A therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of the compound sufficient to result in amelioration of symptoms of the disorders. Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures as described above.

The data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal studies can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosage of such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED₅₀ with little or no toxicity. The dosage can vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. For any compound used in the method of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from cell culture assays. A dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC₅₀ (i.e., the concentration of the test compound that achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. Levels in plasma can be measured, for example, by high performance liquid chromatography.

Another example of determination of effective dose for an individual is the ability to directly assay levels of “free” and “bound” compound in the serum of the test subject. Such assays can utilize antibody mimics and/or “biosensors” that have been created through molecular imprinting techniques. The compound which is able to modulate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity is used as a template, or “imprinting molecule”, to spatially organize polymerizable monomers prior to their polymerization with catalytic reagents. The subsequent removal of the imprinted molecule leaves a polymer matrix which contains a repeated “negative image” of the compound and is able to selectively rebind the molecule under biological assay conditions. A detailed review of this technique can be seen in Ansell et al (1996) Current Opinion in Biotechnology 7:89–94 and in Shea (1994) Trends in Polymer Science 2:166–173. Such “imprinted” affinity matrixes are amenable to ligand-binding assays, whereby the immobilized monoclonal antibody component is replaced by an appropriately imprinted matrix. An example of the use of such matrixes in this way can be seen in Vlatakis et al (1993) Nature 361:645–647. Through the use of isotope-labeling, the “free” concentration of compound which modulates the expression or activity of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 can be readily monitored and used in calculations of IC₅₀.

Such “imprinted” affinity matrixes can also be designed to include fluorescent groups whose photon-emitting properties measurably change upon local and selective binding of target compound. These changes can be readily assayed in real time using appropriate fiberoptic devices, in turn allowing the dose in a test subject to be quickly optimized based on its individual IC₅₀. An rudimentary example of such a “biosensor” is discussed in Kriz et al (1995) Analytical Chemistry 67:2142–2144.

Another aspect of the invention pertains to methods of modulating 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression or activity for therapeutic purposes. Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, the modulatory method of the invention involves contacting a cell with a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 or agent that modulates one or more of the activities of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein activity associated with the cell. An agent that modulates 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein activity can be an agent as described herein, such as a nucleic acid or a protein, a naturally-occurring target molecule of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein (e.g., a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 substrate or receptor), a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibody, a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 agonist or antagonist, a peptidomimetic of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 agonist or antagonist, or other small molecule.

In one embodiment, the agent stimulates one or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activities. Examples of such stimulatory agents include active 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein and a nucleic acid molecule encoding 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577. In another embodiment, the agent inhibits one or more 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activities. Examples of such inhibitory agents include antisense 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid molecules, anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibodies, and 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 inhibitors. These modulatory methods can be performed in vitro (e.g., by culturing the cell with the agent) or, alternatively, in vivo (e.g., by administering the agent to a subject). As such, the present invention provides methods of treating an individual afflicted with a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant or unwanted expression or activity of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or nucleic acid molecule. In one embodiment, the method involves administering an agent (e.g., an agent identified by a screening assay described herein), or combination of agents that modulates (e.g., up regulates or down regulates) 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression or activity. In another embodiment, the method involves administering a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein or nucleic acid molecule as therapy to compensate for reduced, aberrant, or unwanted 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression or activity.

Stimulation of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity is desirable in situations in which 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 is abnormally downregulated and/or in which increased 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity is likely to have a beneficial effect. For example, stimulation of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity is desirable in situations in which a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 is downregulated and/or in which increased 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity is likely to have a beneficial effect. Likewise, inhibition of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity is desirable in situations in which 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 is abnormally upregulated and/or in which decreased 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity is likely to have a beneficial effect.

Pharmacogenomics

The 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecules of the present invention, as well as agents, or modulators which have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity (e.g., 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene expression) as identified by a screening assay described herein can be administered to individuals to treat (prophylactically or therapeutically) 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disorders (e.g., aberrant or deficient phospholipase activity, serine carboxypeptidase activity, trypsin-like serine protease activity, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, ubiquitin-protein ligase activity, protein kinase activity, hydrolase activity or matrix metalloproteinase activity.) associated with aberrant or unwanted 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity.

In conjunction with such treatment, pharmacogenomics (i.e., the study of the relationship between an individual's genotype and that individual's response to a foreign compound or drug) can be considered. Differences in metabolism of therapeutics can lead to severe toxicity or therapeutic failure by altering the relation between dose and blood concentration of the pharmacologically active drug. Thus, a physician or clinician can consider applying knowledge obtained in relevant pharmacogenomics studies in determining whether to administer a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecule or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 modulator as well as tailoring the dosage and/or therapeutic regimen of treatment with a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecule or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 modulator.

Pharmacogenomics deals with clinically significant hereditary variations in the response to drugs due to altered drug disposition and abnormal action in affected persons. See, for example, Eichelbaum et al. (1996) Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 23:983–985 and Linder et al. (1997) Clin. Chem. 43:254–266. In general, two types of pharmacogenetic conditions can be differentiated. Genetic conditions transmitted as a single factor altering the way drugs act on the body (altered drug action) or genetic conditions transmitted as single factors altering the way the body acts on drugs (altered drug metabolism). These pharmacogenetic conditions can occur either as rare genetic defects or as naturally-occurring polymorphisms. For example, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) is a common inherited enzymopathy in which the main clinical complication is haemolysis after ingestion of oxidant drugs (anti-malarials, sulfonamides, analgesics, nitrofurans) and consumption of fava beans.

One pharmacogenomics approach to identifying genes that predict drug response, known as “a genome-wide association”, relies primarily on a high-resolution map of the human genome consisting of already known gene-related markers (e.g., a “bi-allelic” gene marker map which consists of 60,000–100,000 polymorphic or variable sites on the human genome, each of which has two variants.) Such a high-resolution genetic map can be compared to a map of the genome of each of a statistically significant number of patients taking part in a Phase II/III drug trial to identify markers associated with a particular observed drug response or side effect. Alternatively, such a high resolution map can be generated from a combination of some ten-million known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human genome. As used herein, a “SNP” is a common alteration that occurs in a single nucleotide base in a stretch of DNA. For example, a SNP can occur once per every 1000 bases of DNA. A SNP can be involved in a disease process, however, the vast majority can not be disease-associated. Given a genetic map based on the occurrence of such SNPs, individuals can be grouped into genetic categories depending on a particular pattern of SNPs in their individual genome. In such a manner, treatment regimens can be tailored to groups of genetically similar individuals, taking into account traits that can be common among such genetically similar individuals.

Alternatively, a method termed the “candidate gene approach”, can be utilized to identify genes that predict drug response. According to this method, if a gene that encodes a drug's target is known (e.g., a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein of the present invention), all common variants of that gene can be fairly easily identified in the population and it can be determined if having one version of the gene versus another is associated with a particular drug response.

Alternatively, a method termed the “gene expression profiling”, can be utilized to identify genes that predict drug response. For example, the gene expression of an animal dosed with a drug (e.g., a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecule or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 modulator of the present invention) can give an indication whether gene pathways related to toxicity have been turned on.

Information generated from more than one of the above pharmacogenomics approaches can be used to determine appropriate dosage and treatment regimens for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of an individual. This knowledge, when applied to dosing or drug selection, can avoid adverse reactions or therapeutic failure and thus enhance therapeutic or prophylactic efficiency when treating a subject with a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecule or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 modulator, such as a modulator identified by one of the exemplary screening assays described herein.

The present invention further provides methods for identifying new agents, or combinations, that are based on identifying agents that modulate the activity of one or more of the gene products encoded by one or more of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 genes of the present invention, wherein these products can be associated with resistance of the cells to a therapeutic agent. Specifically, the activity of the proteins encoded by the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 genes of the present invention can be used as a basis for identifying agents for overcoming agent resistance. By blocking the activity of one or more of the resistance proteins, target cells, e.g., human cells, will become sensitive to treatment with an agent to which the unmodified target cells were resistant.

Monitoring the influence of agents (e.g., drugs) on the expression or activity of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein can be applied in clinical trials. For example, the effectiveness of an agent determined by a screening assay as described herein to increase 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene expression, protein levels, or upregulate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity, can be monitored in clinical trials of subjects exhibiting decreased 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene expression, protein levels, or downregulated 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity. Alternatively, the effectiveness of an agent determined by a screening assay to decrease 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene expression, protein levels, or downregulate 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity, can be monitored in clinical trials of subjects exhibiting increased 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene expression, protein levels, or upregulated 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 activity. In such clinical trials, the expression or activity of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene, and preferably, other genes that have been implicated in, for example, a protein kinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disorder can be used as a “read out” or markers of the phenotype of a particular cell.

Other Embodiments

In another aspect, the invention features a method of analyzing a plurality of capture probes. The method is useful, e.g., to analyze gene expression. The method includes: providing a two dimensional array having a plurality of addresses, each address of the plurality being positionally distinguishable from each other address of the plurality, and each address of the plurality having a unique capture probe, e.g., a nucleic acid or peptide sequence, wherein the capture probes are from a cell or subject which expresses 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 or from a cell or subject in which a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mediated response has been elicited; contacting the array with a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid (preferably purified), a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide (preferably purified), or an anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibody, and thereby evaluating the plurality of capture probes. Binding, e.g., in the case of a nucleic acid, hybridization with a capture probe at an address of the plurality, is detected, e.g., by a signal generated from a label attached to the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid, polypeptide, or antibody.

The capture probes can be a set of nucleic acids from a selected sample, e.g., a sample of nucleic acids derived from a control or non-stimulated tissue or cell.

The method can include contacting the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid, polypeptide, or antibody with a first array having a plurality of capture probes and a second array having a different plurality of capture probes. The results of each hybridization can be compared, e.g., to analyze differences in expression between a first and second sample. The first plurality of capture probes can be from a control sample, e.g., a wild type, normal, or non-diseased, non-stimulated, sample, e.g., a biological fluid, tissue, or cell sample. The second plurality of capture probes can be from an experimental sample, e.g., a mutant type, at risk, disease-state or disorder-state, or stimulated, sample, e.g., a biological fluid, tissue, or cell sample.

The plurality of capture probes can be a plurality of nucleic acid probes each of which specifically hybridizes, with an allele of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577. Such methods can be used to diagnose a subject, e.g., to evaluate risk for a disease or disorder, to evaluate suitability of a selected treatment for a subject, to evaluate whether a subject has a disease or disorder.

The method can be used to detect SNPs, as described above.

In another aspect, the invention features, a method of analyzing 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577, e.g., analyzing structure, function, or relatedness to other nucleic acid or amino acid sequences. The method includes: providing a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleic acid or amino acid sequence; comparing the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence with one or more preferably a plurality of sequences from a collection of sequences, e.g., a nucleic acid or protein sequence database; to thereby analyze 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577.

The method can include evaluating the sequence identity between a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence and a database sequence. The method can be performed by accessing the database at a second site, e.g., over the internet. Preferred databases include GenBank™ and SwissProt.

In another aspect, the invention features, a set of oligonucleotides, useful, e.g., for identifying SNP's, or identifying specific alleles of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577. The set includes a plurality of oligonucleotides, each of which has a different nucleotide at an interrogation position, e.g., an SNP or the site of a mutation. In a preferred embodiment, the oligonucleotides of the plurality identical in sequence with one another (except for differences in length). The oligonucleotides can be provided with differential labels, such that an oligonucleotide which hybridizes to one allele provides a signal that is distinguishable from an oligonucleotides which hybridizes to a second allele.

The sequences of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecules are provided in a variety of mediums to facilitate use thereof. A sequence can be provided as a manufacture, other than an isolated nucleic acid or amino acid molecule, which contains a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 molecule. Such a manufacture can provide a nucleotide or amino acid sequence, e.g., an open reading frame, in a form which allows examination of the manufacture using means not directly applicable to examining the nucleotide or amino acid sequences, or a subset thereof, as they exist in nature or in purified form.

A 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleotide or amino acid sequence can be recorded on computer readable media. As used herein, “computer readable media” refers to any medium that can be read and accessed directly by a computer. Such media include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage media, such as floppy discs, hard disc storage medium, and magnetic tape; optical storage media such as compact disc and CD-ROM; electrical storage media such as RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and the like; and general hard disks and hybrids of these categories such as magnetic/optical storage media. The medium is adapted or configured for having thereon 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence information of the present invention.

As used herein, the term “electronic apparatus” is intended to include any suitable computing or processing apparatus of other device configured or adapted for storing data or information. Examples of electronic apparatus suitable for use with the present invention include stand-alone computing apparatus; networks, including a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) Internet, Intranet, and Extranet; electronic appliances such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, pagers, and the like; and local and distributed processing systems.

As used herein, “recorded” refers to a process for storing or encoding information on the electronic apparatus readable medium. Those skilled in the art can readily adopt any of the presently known methods for recording information on known media to generate manufactures comprising the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence information.

A variety of data storage structures are available to a skilled artisan for creating a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleotide or amino acid sequence of the present invention. The choice of the data storage structure will generally be based on the means chosen to access the stored information. In addition, a variety of data processor programs and formats can be used to store the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention on computer readable medium. The sequence information can be represented in a word processing text file, formatted in commercially-available software such as WordPerfect and Microsoft Word, or represented in the form of an ASCII file, stored in a database application, such as DB2, Sybase, Oracle, or the like. The skilled artisan can readily adapt any number of data processor structuring formats (e.g., text file or database) in order to obtain computer readable medium having recorded thereon the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention.

By providing the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 nucleotide or amino acid sequences of the invention in computer readable form, the skilled artisan can routinely access the sequence information for a variety of purposes. For example, one skilled in the art can use the nucleotide or amino acid sequences of the invention in computer readable form to compare a target sequence or target structural motif with the sequence information stored within the data storage means. A search is used to identify fragments or regions of the sequences of the invention which match a particular target sequence or target motif.

The present invention therefore provides a medium for holding instructions for performing a method for determining whether a subject has a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder or a pre-disposition to a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder, wherein the method comprises the steps of determining 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence information associated with the subject and based on the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence information, determining whether the subject has a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder and/or recommending a particular treatment for the disease, disorder, or pre-disease condition.

The present invention further provides in an electronic system and/or in a network, a method for determining whether a subject has a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder or a pre-disposition to a disease associated with 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577, wherein the method comprises the steps of determining 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence information associated with the subject, and based on the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence information, determining whether the subject has a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder or a pre-disposition to a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder, and/or recommending a particular treatment for the disease, disorder, or pre-disease condition. The method may further comprise the step of receiving phenotypic information associated with the subject and/or acquiring from a network phenotypic information associated with the subject.

The present invention also provides in a network, a method for determining whether a subject has a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder or a pre-disposition to a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder, said method comprising the steps of receiving 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence information from the subject and/or information related thereto, receiving phenotypic information associated with the subject, acquiring information from the network corresponding to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 and/or corresponding to a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder, and based on one or more of the phenotypic information, the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 information (e.g., sequence information and/or information related thereto), and the acquired information, determining whether the subject has a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder or a pre-disposition to a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder. The method may further comprise the step of recommending a particular treatment for the disease, disorder, or pre-disease condition.

The present invention also provides a business method for determining whether a subject has a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder or a pre-disposition to a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder, said method comprising the steps of receiving information related to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 (e.g., sequence information and/or information related thereto), receiving phenotypic information associated with the subject, acquiring information from the network related to 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 and/or related to a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder, and based on one or more of the phenotypic information, the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 information, and the acquired information, determining whether the subject has a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder or a pre-disposition to a phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder. The method may further comprise the step of recommending a particular treatment for the disease, disorder, or pre-disease condition.

The invention also includes an array comprising a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence of the present invention. The array can be used to assay expression of one or more genes in the array. In one embodiment, the array can be used to assay gene expression in a tissue to ascertain tissue specificity of genes in the array. In this manner, up to about 7600 genes can be simultaneously assayed for expression, one of which can be 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577. This allows a profile to be developed showing a battery of genes specifically expressed in one or more tissues.

In addition to such qualitative information, the invention allows the quantitation of gene expression. Thus, not only tissue specificity, but also the level of expression of a battery of genes in the tissue if ascertainable. Thus, genes can be grouped on the basis of their tissue expression per se and level of expression in that tissue. This is useful, for example, in ascertaining the relationship of gene expression in that tissue. Thus, one tissue can be perturbed and the effect on gene expression in a second tissue can be determined. In this context, the effect of one cell type on another cell type in response to a biological stimulus can be determined. In this context, the effect of one cell type on another cell type in response to a biological stimulus can be determined. Such a determination is useful, for example, to know the effect of cell-cell interaction at the level of gene expression. If an agent is administered therapeutically to treat one cell type but has an undesirable effect on another cell type, the invention provides an assay to determine the molecular basis of the undesirable effect and thus provides the opportunity to co-administer a counteracting agent or otherwise treat the undesired effect. Similarly, even within a single cell type, undesirable biological effects can be determined at the molecular level. Thus, the effects of an agent on expression of other than the target gene can be ascertained and counteracted.

In another embodiment, the array can be used to monitor the time course of expression of one or more genes in the array. This can occur in various biological contexts, as disclosed herein, for example development of a protein kinase, methyltransferase, acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, short chain dehyrdogenase, reductase, acyltransferase, phosphatase, transferase, ATP-ase or synthase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder, progression of protein kinase, methyltransferase, acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, short chain dehyrdogenase, reductase, acyltransferase, phosphatase, transferase, ATP-ase or synthase-associated or another 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder, and processes, such a cellular transformation associated with the phospholipase, serine carboxypeptidase, trypsin-like serine protease, aldehyde dehydrogenase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase, hydrolase or matrix metalloproteinase-associated or another 27877, 18080,–14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577-associated disease or disorder.

The array is also useful for ascertaining the effect of the expression of a gene on the expression of other genes in the same cell or in different cells (e.g., acertaining the effect of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression on the expression of other genes). This provides, for example, for a selection of alternate molecular targets for therapeutic intervention if the ultimate or downstream target cannot be regulated.

The array is also useful for ascertaining differential expression patterns of one or more genes in normal and abnormal cells. This provides a battery of genes (e.g., including 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577) that could serve as a molecular target for diagnosis or therapeutic intervention.

As used herein, a “target sequence” can be any DNA or amino acid sequence of six or more nucleotides or two or more amino acids. A skilled artisan can readily recognize that the longer a target sequence is, the less likely a target sequence will be present as a random occurrence in the database. Typical sequence lengths of a target sequence are from about 10 to 100 amino acids or from about 30 to 300 nucleotide residues. However, it is well recognized that commercially important fragments, such as sequence fragments involved in gene expression and protein processing, may be of shorter length.

Computer software is publicly available which allows a skilled artisan to access sequence information provided in a computer readable medium for analysis and comparison to other sequences. A variety of known algorithms are disclosed publicly and a variety of commercially available software for conducting search means are and can be used in the computer-based systems of the present invention. Examples of such software include, but are not limited to, MacPattern (EMBL), BLASTN and BLASTX (NCBI).

Thus, the invention features a method of making a computer readable record of a sequence of a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence which includes recording the sequence on a computer readable matrix. In a preferred embodiment the record includes one or more of the following: identification of an ORF; identification of a domain, region, or site; identification of the start of transcription; identification of the transcription terminator; the full length amino acid sequence of the protein, or a mature form thereof; the 5′ end of the translated region.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of analyzing a sequence. The method-includes: providing a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence, or record, in computer readable form; comparing a second sequence to the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence; thereby analyzing a sequence. Comparison can include comparing to sequences for sequence identity or determining if one sequence is included within the other, e.g., determining if the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 sequence includes a sequence being compared. In a preferred embodiment the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 or second sequence is stored on a first computer, e.g., at a first site and the comparison is performed, read, or recorded on a second computer, e.g., at a second site. E.g., the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 or second sequence can be stored in a public or proprietary database in one computer, and the results of the comparison performed, read, or recorded on a second computer. In a preferred embodiment the record includes one or more of the following: identification of an ORF; identification of a domain, region, or site; identification of the start of transcription; identification of the transcription terminator; the full length amino acid sequence of the protein, or a mature form thereof; the 5′ end of the translated region.

EXEMPLIFICATION Example 1 Tissue Distribution of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA

Northern blot hybridizations with various RNA samples can be performed under standard conditions and washed under stringent conditions, i.e., 0.2×SSC at 65° C. A DNA probe corresponding to all or a portion of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 cDNA (SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 73, 75, 76, 78, 86 or 88) or 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 cDNA can be used. The DNA was radioactively labeled with ³²P-dCTP using the Prime-It Kit (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) according to the instructions of the supplier. Filters containing mRNA from mouse hematopoietic and endocrine tissues, and cancer cell lines (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.) can be probed in ExpressHyb hybridization solution (Clontech) and washed at high stringency according to manufacturer's recommendations.

Example 2 Recombinant Expression of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 in Bacterial Cells

In this example, 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 is expressed as a recombinant glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion polypeptide in E. coli and the fusion polypeptide is isolated and characterized. Specifically, 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 is fused to GST and this fusion polypeptide is expressed in E. coli, e.g., strain PEB199. Expression of the GST-27877, -18080, -14081, -32140, -50352, -16658, -14223, -16002, -50566, -65552 or -65577 fusion protein in PEB 199 is induced with IPTG. The recombinant fusion polypeptide is purified from crude bacterial lysates of the induced PEB199 strain by affinity chromatography on glutathione beads. Using polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of the polypeptide purified from the bacterial lysates, the molecular weight of the resultant fusion polypeptide is determined.

Example 3 Expression of Recombinant 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 Protein in COS Cells

To express the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene in COS cells, the pcDNA/Amp vector by Invitrogen Corporation (San Diego, Calif.) is used. This vector contains an SV40 origin of replication, an ampicillin resistance gene, an E. coli replication origin, a CMV promoter followed by a polylinker region, and an SV40 intron and polyadenylation site. A DNA fragment encoding the entire 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 protein and an HA tag (Wilson et al. (1984) Cell 37:767) or a FLAG tag fused in-frame to its 3′ end of the fragment is cloned into the polylinker region of the vector, thereby placing the expression of the recombinant protein under the control of the CMV promoter.

To construct the plasmid, the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 DNA sequence is amplified by PCR using two primers. The 5′ primer contains the restriction site of interest followed by approximately twenty nucleotides of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 coding sequence starting from the initiation codon; the 3′ end sequence contains complementary sequences to the other restriction site of interest, a translation stop codon, the HA tag or FLAG tag and the last 20 nucleotides of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 coding sequence. The PCR amplified fragment and the pCDNA/Amp vector are digested with the appropriate restriction enzymes and the vector is dephosphorylated using the CIAP enzyme (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). Preferably the two restriction sites chosen are different so that the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene is inserted in the correct orientation. The ligation mixture is transformed into E. coli cells (strains HB101, DH5α, SURE, available from Stratagene Cloning Systems, La Jolla, Calif., can be used), the transformed culture is plated on ampicillin media plates, and resistant colonies are selected. Plasmid DNA is isolated from transformants and examined by restriction analysis for the presence of the correct fragment.

COS cells are subsequently transfected with the 27877-, 18080-, 14081-, 32140-, 50352-, 16658-, 14223-, 16002-, 50566-, 65552- or 65577-pcDNA/Amp plasmid DNA using the calcium phosphate or calcium chloride co-precipitation methods, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, lipofection, or electroporation. Other suitable methods for transfecting host cells can be found in Sambrook, J., Fritsh, E. F., and Maniatis, T. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2nd, ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989. The expression of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide is detected by radiolabelling (³⁵S-methionine or ³⁵S-cysteine available from NEN, Boston, Mass., can be used) and immunoprecipitation (Harlow, E. and Lane, D. Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1988) using an HA specific monoclonal antibody. Briefly, the cells are labeled for 8 hours with ³⁵S-methionine (or ³⁵S-cysteine). The culture media are then collected and the cells are lysed using detergents (RIPA buffer, 150 mM NaCl, 1% NP-40, 0.1% SDS, 0.5% DOC, 50 mM Tris, pH 7.5). Both the cell lysate and the culture media are precipitated with an HA specific monoclonal antibody. Precipitated polypeptides are then analyzed by SDS-PAGE.

Alternatively, DNA containing the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 coding sequence is cloned directly into the polylinker of the pCDNA/Amp vector using the appropriate restriction sites. The resulting plasmid is transfected into COS cells in the manner described above, and the expression of the 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 polypeptide is detected by radiolabelling and immunoprecipitation using a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 specific monoclonal antibody.

Example 4 TaqMan Analysis of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577

Human 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 expression was measured by TaqMan® quantitative PCR (Perkin Elmer Applied Biosystems) in cDNA prepared from a variety of normal and diseased (e.g., cancerous) human tissues or cell lines.

Probes were designed by PrimerExpress software (PE Biosystems) based on the sequence of the human 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene. Each human 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene probe was labeled using FAM (6-carboxyfluorescein), and the β2-microglobulin reference probe was labeled with a different fluorescent dye, VIC. The differential labeling of the target gene and internal reference gene thus enabled measurement in same well. Forward and reverse primers and the probes for both β2-microglobulin and target gene were added to the TaqMan® Universal PCR Master Mix (PE Applied Biosystems). Although the final concentration of primer and probe could vary, each was internally consistent within a given experiment. A typical experiment contained 200 nM of forward and reverse primers plus 100 nM probe for β-2 microglobulin and 600 nM forward and reverse primers plus 200 nM probe for the target gene. TaqMan matrix experiments were carried out on an ABI PRISM 7700 Sequence Detection System (PE Applied Biosystems). The thermal cycler conditions were as follows: hold for 2 min at 50° C. and 10 min at 95° C., followed by two-step PCR for 40 cycles of 95° C. for 15 sec followed by 60° C. for 1 min.

The following method was used to quantitatively calculate human 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene expression in the various tissues relative to β-2 microglobulin expression in the same tissue. The threshold cycle (Ct) value is defined as the cycle at which a statistically significant increase in fluorescence is detected. A lower Ct value is indicative of a higher mRNA concentration. The Ct value of the human 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene is normalized by subtracting the Ct value of the β-2 microglobulin gene to obtain a _(Δ)Ct value using the following formula: _(Δ)Ct=Ct_(human 59914 and 59921)−Ct_(β-2 microglobulin). Expression is then calibrated against a cDNA sample showing a comparatively low level of expression of the human 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene. The _(Δ)Ct value for the calibrator sample is then subtracted from _(Δ)Ct for each tissue sample according to the following formula: _(ΔΔ) Ct= _(Δ) Ct− _(sample)−_(Δ) Ct− _(calibrator). Relative expression is then calculated using the arithmetic formula given by 2^(−ΔΔCt).

Example 5 In Situ Hybridization of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577

The following describes the tissue distribution of 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 mRNA, as may be determined by in situ hybridization analysis using oligonucleotide probes based on the human G2RF sequence.

For in situ analysis, various tissues, e.g. tissues obtained from brain, are first frozen on dry ice. Ten-micrometer-thick sections of the tissues are postfixed with 4% formaldehyde in DEPC treated 1× phosphate-buffered saline at room temperature for 10 minutes before being rinsed twice in DEPC 1× phosphate-buffered saline and once in 0.1 M triethanolamine-HCl (pH 8.0). Following incubation in 0.25% acetic anhydride-0.1 M triethanolamine-HCl for 10 minutes, sections are rinsed in DEPC 2×SSC (1×SSC is 0.15M NaCl plus 0.015M sodium citrate). Tissue is then dehydrated through a series of ethanol washes, incubated in 100% chloroform for 5 minutes, and then rinsed in 100% ethanol for 1 minute and 95% ethanol for 1 minute and allowed to air dry.

Hybridizations are performed with ³⁵S-radiolabeled (5×10⁷ cpm/ml) cRNA probes. Probes are incubated in the presence of a solution containing 600 mM NaCl, 10 mM Tris (pH 7.5), 1 mM EDTA, 0.01% sheared salmon sperm DNA, 0.01% yeast tRNA, 0.05% yeast total RNA type X1, 1× Denhardt's solution, 50% formamide, 10% dextran sulfate, 100 mM dithiothreitol, 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 0.1% sodium thiosulfate for 18 hours at 55° C.

After hybridization, slides are washed with 2×SSC. Sections are then sequentially incubated at 37° C. in TNE (a solution containing 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.6), 500 mM NaCl, and 1 mM EDTA), for 10 minutes, in TNE with 10 μg of RNase A per ml for 30 minutes, and finally in TNE for 10 minutes. Slides are then rinsed with 2×SSC at room temperature, washed with 2×SSC at 50° C. for 1 hour, washed with 0.2×SSC at 55° C. for 1 hour, and 0.2×SSC at 60° C. for 1 hour. Sections are then dehydrated rapidly through serial ethanol—0.3 M sodium acetate concentrations before being air dried and exposed to Kodak Biomax MR scientific imaging film for 24 hours and subsequently dipped in NB-2 photoemulsion and exposed at 4° C. for 7 days before being developed and counter stained.

The contents of all references, patents and published patent applications cited throughout this application are incorporated herein by reference.

Equivalents

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. 

1. An isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polypeptide which is encoded by a nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or 43; b) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; c) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42; and d) a polypeptide which is encoded by a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence which is at least 95% identical to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or 43; wherein said polypeptide has calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase alpha activity.
 2. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence which is at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42.
 3. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide is encoded by a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence which is at least 95% identical to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or
 43. 4. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide is encoded by a nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or
 43. 5. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 42. 6. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide is encoded by a nucleic acid consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or
 43. 7. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 42. 8. A fusion protein comprising the polypeptide of claim
 1. 9. A fusion protein comprising the polypeptide of claim
 2. 10. A fusion protein comprising the polypeptide of claim
 3. 11. A fusion protein comprising the polypeptide of claim
 4. 12. A fusion protein comprising the polypeptide of claim
 5. 13. A fusion protein comprising the polypeptide of claim
 6. 14. A fusion protein comprising the polypeptide of claim
 7. 